Benicia Tree Foundation to maintain trees at Joe Henderson tomorrow

(Originally published in the 4/1/16 edition)

   In 2012, the Benicia Tree Foundation planted 80 trees at Joe Henderson Elementary School with the help of parents, students and faculty. Now that the establishment phase has passed, volunteers will be returning to the site Saturday to keep the trees in good shape. 

   The Benicia Tree Foundation works to strengthen the community by promoting the importance of planting and maintaining trees. As of December, the foundation has planted 639 trees in Benicia with ongoing projects taking place at the Veteran’s Hall, Benicia Housing Authority, Benicia Armory and six of Benicia Unified School District’s seven schools.

   In 2012, the foundation planted 80 trees at Joe Henderson, mostly coast live oaks and cedars. In the intervening time, Benicia Tree Foundation secretary Steven Goetz says, members and volunteers have worked to help the trees grow especially with the drought that has been occurring since the trees were planted.

   “What we’ve been doing since then is checking on them a couple times a year to make sure they’re growing well,” he said. “We’ve provided supplemental irrigation during the dry season for the first three years.”

   However, Goetz says the trees are now able to survive off rainfall, so participants are mainly going to make sure the trees will remain in good condition. They will add mulch where needed, do light pruning and check on tree stakes and remove them if they are no longer needed.

   “Adding mulch around the base of the trees will help retain moisture in the soil so the trees will be less stressed during the dry season,” Goetz said. 

   Goetz believes it is important for people to take care of the trees in their community because it will contribute to their well-being.

   “They help capture and sequester carbon into the soil, reduce the amount of stormwater that runs off into our street, provide shade around the play field at the schools and help clear the air,” he said.

   The tree maintenance day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, tomorrow at Joe Henderson Elementary, located at 650 Hastings Drive. Tools and instruction will be provided, and participants should bring gloves if they have them. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and all participants will have to sign a waiver. No experience is necessary. Interested participants should RSVP by calling 745-4675 or emailing info@beniciatrees.org. A meeting point will be provided after an RSVP is given. The day will be canceled in the event of rain. 

El Nino poses possible danger for drought-stricken dead trees

(Originally published in the 11/5/15 edition)

   On Monday, an inch of rain dropped on the Bay Area, offering a potential prelude of the El Nino winter that is expected to hit within the next few months. This could be perceived as a relief for a state that has experienced four years of drought, but it is important to consider the negative effects that could result from an El Nino season. One of them concerns dead trees.

   On Oct. 30, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency regarding the tens of millions of trees across the state that have been infested by bark beetles as a result of the ongoing drought.

   “California is facing the worst epidemic of tree mortality in its modern history,” Brown wrote in a letter to Tom Vilsack, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “A crisis of this magnitude demands action on all fronts.”

    According to Tina Marchetti, executive director of the Benicia Tree Foundation, dead trees pose a threat not only in wildfires but can also be carried away in floods or mudslides as a result of El Nino.

   “Luckily, Benicia is not as impacted by this as many other parts of the state,” she said. “But it is still important for homeowners to realize the dead trees on their property can pose a threat.” 

   Brown has called for dead trees to be removed through controlled burns. Additionally, Marchetti says there are other things people can do to minimize the impact of El Nino on dead trees.

   “It is important to continue to care for trees during the drought, even if the tree is located in a lawn area that you have discontinued watering,” she said. “It’s important to not let the tree die.”

   Marchetti also added that homeowners should trim branches so they aren’t near roofs or gutters, as they could break during heavy winds. Additionally, she suggested working with tree removal companies or arborists, such as A Plus Tree Service in Vallejo. 

   As for when to start this process, Marchetti advised that homeowners start landscaping right away.

   “It can sneak up on you,” she said. “We had a pretty heavy system just a couple days ago, so the sooner the better.”

   Marchetti noted that Benicia Tree Foundation is willing to help people replace their dead trees. The organization will be planting 150 new trees in the next month, including at Benicia High School and the Benicia Housing Authority from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 14. 

   “We welcome help from the public if they would like to volunteer and help plant young trees,” she said. 

   

Arbor Day event plants trees to help preserve Benicia's natural habitat

(Originally published in the 10/13/15 edition. Valerie Roberts Gray also contributed to this story.)

   Arbor Day is a chance to get your hands in the dirt, commune with nature and help plant trees that can withstand California’s ongoing drought conditions. 

   While traditionally held in April, Benicia’s annual Arbor Day event takes place this Sunday, Oct. 18.Volunteers from throughout the community are invited to join in helping plant native trees at the Benicia State Recreation Area from 9 a.m. to noon.

   The event is typically held in October in Benicia to coincide with the Native Plant Society’s annual sale, according to Tina Marchetti, the executive director of Benicia Tree Foundation.

   So far in 2015, the Benicia Tree Foundation has planted 480 trees. According to Marchetti, the organization plans to plant another 25 trees on Saturday and another 200 by the end of the year, bringing the total number of trees planted to 705.

   The trees will mostly be coast live oaks and California buckeyes, according to Marchetti. This includes over 100 oaks that will be planted at Lake Herman.

   The trees were grown from locally collected seed and will survive on rainwater once the rain season starts.

   Marchetti believes Arbor Day is an important holiday to celebrate because trees are vital to life, especially in Benicia.

   “Trees are critically important to the health and happiness of the citizens of Benicia especially when you consider the refineries and freeways,” she said. “They also create shade, habitat for wildlife and store stormwater, which is critical for a time of drought.”

   Events include communal tree planting, exhibitions, fairs, music performances and open days in garden centers. Arbor Day awards are also presented in communities, schools, and organizations throughout the United States.

   All ages are welcome to attend the event, and according to Marchetti, the tasks aren’t too daunting.

   “We’re planting seedlings, so there’s no heavy lifting involved,” she said.

   Participants should meet at the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden parking lot about 1 mile down State Park Road off I-780 at Columbus Parkway. An entrance fee will be waived for volunteers.  No experience is necessary. Gloves are encouraged to be brought.  Tools, instruction and snacks will be provided. 

   For more information, visit BeniciaTrees.org.