Head Gardener Appointed

New Head Gardener Frank Tree

Friends of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, a project of the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society has appointed Frank Tree as head gardener. Frank joins the organization as the first full-time head gardener in the garden’s seventy-plus year history.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Frank to our team at Friends of Crystal Springs,” states Brandon Baker, executive director. “Frank brings over thirty-eight years of experience in horticulture and will lead our gardening operations with incredible skill, humility, and expertise.”

Frank Tree joins the organization from Portland Japanese Garden where he spent more than fourteen years in roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in being named lead gardener in 2019. Prior to the Japanese Garden, Frank served as Municipal Master Gardener at Rio Grande Botanic Garden in Albuquerque, New Mexico and various roles with plant nurseries, golf courses, and an estate garden.

“Head Gardener at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden fits in with my long term goal to continually expand my horticulture practice to new environments and settings in a leadership role,” notes Tree. As a gardener, Frank brings years of experience in plant care, pruning, plant, propagation, and grounds maintenance. “I look forward to getting started with the dedicated volunteers and staff at the garden to continue to care for this beautiful and treasured public resource,” said Tree.

ABOUT CRYSTAL SPRINGS RHODODENDRON GARDEN

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a unique 9.5-acre garden cultivating mental and physical wellness, inspiring conservation, and showcasing an outstanding collection of rhododendrons. Centrally located in the city, the garden serves as a refuge for people, wildlife, and plants.

Jointly established in 1950 by Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (doing business at the site as ‘Friends of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden’), Crystal Springs boasts numerous rare species and hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas, and other lesser-known ericaceous plants, as well as many companion plants and unusual trees.