Tour des Trees
See the Calendar listing for the 2012 STIHL Tour des Trees >>
Visit the 2012 STIHL Tour des Trees event website >>
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View the photo slideshow of the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees >>
The TREE Fund is pleased to announce that long-time TREE Fund partner STIHL Inc., Title Sponsor of the Tour des Trees since 2009, has committed to Title Sponsorship of the Tour through 2014. Bartlett Tree Experts also has agreed to a 3-year commitment as Crown Sponsor of the TREE Fund and Educational Programming Sponsor of the STIHL Tour des Trees. In addition, KASK has renewed its commitment to supply the Tour with custom cycling helmets valued at $25,000, and the Charter members of the Power Source Alliance (APS, National Grid, PacifiCorp and PG&E) each have pledged $10,000 to further defray the costs of the 2012 event.
The 20th Anniversary Tour will launch from Portland, Oregon on August 5th and trace a counter-clockwise loop that includes Oregon’s coastline, vineyards, high desert and Columbia River Gorge, with Douglas firs and Mt. Hood providing the backdrop for a visually spectacular week. The 585-mile route offers challenging cycling for those eager to “riderideride”, with shorter-mileage options available on some of the century (100+ miles) days.
Professor Elwood Pricklethorn (aka Toronto arborist and veteran Tour cyclist Warren Hoselton) has signed on to provide educational programming to young audiences during the Oregon Tour, and the TREE Fund expects to add at least a dozen new entries to its list of trees planted by Tour riders over the years. (The 2011 Tour holds the record in that category, with 45 new trees planted in Virginia last October).
The Tour concludes with a 1-day recreational Ride for Research in Portland August 11, and a 20th Anniversary celebration at Portland’s Laurelhurst Park, site of ISA’s 2012 International Tree Climbing Competition and Arbor Fair.
Veteran Tour riders Phil Graham and Terrill Collier are eagerly anticipating hosting the Tour on their home turf in August. With the support of Tour Director Paul Wood and a host of local volunteers they’re working to make the 2012 Tour the ride of a lifetime. TREE Fund Trustee and 6-time Tour rider Hallie Dozier was one of the first to sign up. “I am wild about trees and bicycles!” she said. “Riding the Tour is a great way for me to give back, to be “green” and to see our beautiful country!” Join Hallie and the other 2012 Tour cyclists for the ride of a lifetime. Sign up to ride, or support a rider with a donation.
Thank you to all of our 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees supporters! 2011 was a record breaking year, with the Tour raising $512,265!
Since 1992, the Tour des Trees has generated more than $5.5 million and has funded a variety of research projects and educational programs for budding tree care professionals. To learn more, visit the TREE Fund Grant Archive and Scholarships page.
The continued success of the Tour des Trees is directly attributable to the support of its Sponsors. Corporate sponsorships ensure that the money raised by Tour riders is applied to research and education programs, not event costs. The TREE Fund gratefully acknowledges the support of our Partners and Sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.
