Every Tuesday is a lively one at Hoyt Arboretum—boots clomping and the comforting chatter of people gathering for our weekly stewardship crew. But, the week before Thanksgiving, Tuesday Crew felt special. When I arrived that morning and saw just how many people were packed into the classroom listening to Martin share the plan for the morning, I knew I needed to step away from my computer to see where all that energy would go.
Tuesday Tradition
What began decades ago as a small weekly gathering of about a dozen dedicated volunteers has grown into something bigger. Last week’s Tuesday Crew being one of the largest in recent memory, with long-standing and brand-new volunteer stewards joining forces across the Winter Garden to clear trails, prune shrubs, mulch garden beds, and even relocate a small tulip tree.
Under the direction of Hoyt Arboretum’s curator and horticulturist, these 24 volunteers gathered at 8am and worked until noon—contributing a combined 96 hours of skilled labor in a single day. That kind of effort is invaluable to our parks team, and it’s the quiet, consistent backbone of how we care for 189 acres of trees and trails.
Independent Work Serves the Whole System
On my way to the work site, the first person I came across was Randi. After introducing myself I learned this was their third time volunteering on the crew, but they were already working with the insight of a seasoned trail steward. While walking with the group toward the Winter Garden, Randi noticed that Beech Trail was thick with fallen leaves and would need clearing before trail re-graveling began. So they quietly grabbed a rake, hung back, and got to work.
When I returned an hour later, Randi had cleared an enormous stretch of the trail and had rounded the bend up Magnolia Trail. “It’s going surprisingly quickly and is super satisfying,” they told me, smiling as leaves fluttered off the trail where they’ll break down to provide nutrients for plants and winter cover for wildlife.
In the Winter Garden: Many Hands, Many Stories
Down in the Winter Garden, a lively crowd was spread out working on several projects.
One group was hard at work removing a young tulip tree that had outgrown its spot underneath a powerline. Tulip trees can grow up to 120 feet tall, so it was inevitable that the tree would have to be removed at some point. But, Curator Martin Nicholson had a plan: rather than letting the tree be cut down, he offered to rehome it on volunteer Des’ property.
Des has been an active volunteer on Tuesday Crew for more than 20 years, and is well-known to have a mini Arboretum at his house, replete with tree labels and a tiny Wildwood Trail. “I feel grateful to have the rare opportunity to rehome an arboretum tree,” Des said. “Martin thinks it will do well near the stream on my property.”
Digging out the roots is difficult, muddy work, but everyone was motivated to preserve the tree.
Horticulturist Vinny shared, “It’s awesome Des has an ideal place for it. It never feels good to cut a tree down, and we didn’t have a place to move it to in the Arboretum.”
Nearby, Bob—another long-standing crew member—was pruning golden Japanese yew along the trail. The difference was striking. Clean lines, open sightlines, and a tidier path showed what practiced hands can do with a pair of pruners and a good eye.
Just up the trail, a cluster of familiar faces waved me over. Luis, who has volunteered about as long as I’ve worked at the Arboretum, asked how I was doing.
David chimed in to ask how my recently adopted dog is settling in and a small crowd formed, eager for pictures and full of congratulations. It was a simple moment, but a meaningful one—the kind of community connection that grows naturally from shared work.
New Volunteers, New Energy
The day brought a wave of newer volunteers, too, each jumping into demanding physical work with enthusiasm.
Spencer, three months into volunteering, was shoveling mulch out of a massive dump truck into waiting wheelbarrows. “Just today I learned the proper way to mulch, and how to prune,” he told me, “and now I know how to truly get rid of blackberry.” He likes the physical work and the chance to learn skills he’ll use for years.
Connor, volunteering since August, remarked on the size of the crew that day. He comes because he enjoys the labor—and because he wants to give back to the place he hikes and explores.
Michelle, new to Portland and just three weeks into volunteering at Hoyt, has already become a familiar face. That day she volunteered with Tuesday Crew from 8am to noon, then headed straight to the Visitor Center for a full three-hour shift helping visitors. “I love getting to meet and work alongside like-minded people,” she said. “It already feels like I’m part of a community–like I’ve known people here much longer than I have.”
A Network of Care Spread Across the Hills
As I wrapped up the morning, I passed even more volunteers—John, Luis, and Mac re-graveling the intersection of Magnolia and Beech trails; Rick clearing debris along Wildwood Trail toward the Japanese Garden; and Brad hauling mulch with the biggest smile of anyone in work gloves.
Brad, who’s been volunteering for about a year, shared: “For some of us on crew here, volunteering at the Arboretum is a family affair.” His wife, Jacquie, leads Tree Time! preschool walks and fills in at the Visitor Center.
By the time they wrapped up for the day, trails were safer, shrubs were tidier, invasive species were removed, and a tulip tree had a second chance at life. More importantly, dozens of people had contributed their time, energy, and heart to a place they care about—and to one another.
Why Tuesday Crew Matters
Hoyt Arboretum thrives thanks to the care of this community. For more than forty years, Tuesday Crew volunteers have shown up—week after week, season after season. Their work supports our horticulture staff, protects our trails, and ensures that visitors can explore the Arboretum safely and joyfully.
Hoyt Arboretum Friends runs and manages volunteer programs, recruits, provides training, and builds the community that makes this work possible. When you support HAF, you make Tuesdays like this happen.
Thank You.
Special thanks to Tuesday Crew member Steve Lanigan and the official stewardship crew photographer for the great pictures!
About the Author
Rebekah Golden is the Communications Coordinator for Hoyt Arboretum Friends (HAF). Before her work with HAF, Rebekah earned a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. She moved to Portland where she worked with partners to launch a business that brought increased awareness to local bees and pollinators.