A Summer Evening of Service and Splints for Redwood City’s Oaks

A dedicated team of a dozen CityTrees volunteers gathered on a warm Wednesday evening, June 11th, to give some love to two groves of oak trees in our community. The event focused on the continued care of trees planted by CityTrees, ensuring their healthy and safe growth for years to come.

The evening’s work began with the structural pruning of the magnificent Cork Oaks that stand proudly along the perimeter of Sequoia High School on James Avenue and El Camino Real. These trees, planted by CityTrees in December of 2020, are thriving under the watchful eye of our volunteers. The pruning will encourage strong structure and beautiful form as they mature.

In a proactive effort to ensure pedestrian safety, the team also skillfully cut back several large, overhanging branches from established trees within the high school grounds that were encroaching upon the sidewalk along James Avenue. This vital maintenance makes the walkway safer and more accessible for everyone.

The group then turned their attention to the younger Chisos Red Oaks on Clinton Street, which were planted in October of 2023. Showing the detailed care that CityTrees provides, volunteers carefully restaked the young trees and applied splints to help their central leaders grow straight and tall. This early intervention is crucial for the long-term health and structure of these developing oaks.

After a rewarding evening of hard work and community service, the volunteers gathered for a well-deserved bite to eat and camaraderie at the newly opened The Wild Rover on Broadway in downtown Redwood City. The lively new Irish gastropub provided a perfect setting for the team to relax and celebrate their accomplishments.

CityTrees extends a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to this important work. Your commitment is what allows our urban forest to flourish.