We did it! Working in collaboration with a team of collaborators and helpers including GUSD, Glendale Open Space & Parks Foundation and North East Trees, GEC celebrates a whole new block of street trees in South Glendale! Despite 100 degree heat, community volunteers pulled together to plant eight Engelmann Oaks (Quercus engelmannii) along one block of Wilson in front of GUSD headquarters on May 10, 2025. Except for a tree on each end (one a fabulous mulberry tree), this entire block was nearly treeless. This is a busy part of town frequented by students, residents, workers and visitors, so it will be very nice to have cool shade and beautiful oaks here for everyone to enjoy.

We are pleased at the choice of Engelmann Oak, as these are native to Glendale and have become very rare due to development. Growing from 25 ft. – 60 ft. with a spreading canopy and low water needs once established, they make wonderful street trees, and are now being used by our Glendale Public Works department in many areas such as in the medium of the new San Fernando Beautification Project and around Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.  A keystone species, they are magnets for butterflies and birds and can live 350 years, though there are select trees, like the famous specimen that graced the Caltech campus until 2017, known to be 400 years old! It feels good to bring them back to where they belong!

We planted these beautiful trees in honor of much loved board member Jack Walworth whom we sadly lost far too soon. Jack was deeply dedicated to cultivating a sustainable world, and these oaks continue his vision of a cleaner, greener Glendale. We thank his family for providing them water through this first summer.

This project was the long-time wish of GEC board member Alek Bartrosouf.  We are so glad for all the groups who coordinated to make it happen! Many thanks to our Glendale Environmental Coalition peeps for volunteering, Glendale Open Space & Parks Foundation for organizing and purchasing the trees with an Arbor Day Foundation grant, Citadel for all of their help (and the cold drinks!), Benjamin Franklin Green Team for help, and huge thanks to North East Trees for all their work, guidance, tools, bringing the trees, and just bringing it all together. Special thanks to Glendale Unified School District for collaborating and FASO Director Hagop Kassabian for assisting.

This is what community looks like!

Next Up: The Parking Lot!

Several residents who live in apartment buildings adjacent to the lot came up to thank us during the planting event. This is an area which the neighborhood kids use at night as a spot to ride their bikes. We’ve got eyes on the parking lot empty tree wells for phase two…9 more trees…when it’s cooler! If you would like to be part of that planting event, please join our Action Network list to receive an invitation when the time comes and email us to let us know you are interested in helping.

 

SPOTLIGHT: All About Engelmann Oaks
from the website of Stewards of the Arroyo Seco

“Oaks are truly spectacular trees, but in our area the grandest is the rare Engelmann Oak (quercus engelmannii). Most oaks we see on the coastal plain of Southern California are the trademark Coast Live Oak (quercus agrifolia). It’s dark green leaves and dense foliage can be spotted everywhere.

The Coast Live Oak is an impressive tree, but the majesty of the Engelmann can take your breath away. Their large twisted spreading limbs generally form a sparse crown. Their gray/green leaves are more elliptical or oval than the Coast Live Oaks, and their acorns more stubby. They often reside near Coast Live Oaks and Sycamores.

A separate species, Engelmann Oaks only exist in a narrow band that stretches along the foothills of Southern California from Pasadena down through Orange and San Diego County into Baja California. They need to be twenty miles or more away from the ocean at an elevation of 500-4000 feet.

In Southern California these spectacular trees have had a hard time because the mesas on which they are usually found are also ideal sites for homes.

Engelmann Oaks are probably the most imperiled of all tree oaks and are one of the most endangered natural plant communities in California.

There are still some Engelmann Oak woodlands in San Diego County, and they steal the show on the Santa Rosa Plateau in Riverside County”

– https://www.arroyoseco.org/eoak.htm