Beating the Rain: 11 New Trees Find Homes in Redwood City

There is an old gardener’s saying that the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, but the second-best time is today. At CityTrees, we’d add a slight addendum: the very best time is right before a good rain!

On Saturday, November 15, just hours before the heavens opened up, a dedicated crew of about a dozen volunteers gathered to add some much-needed green canopy to our neighborhood. Racing against the incoming storm clouds, our team managed to get 11 new trees into the ground, staked, and mulched just in time for nature to take over the watering duties.

Right Tree, Right Place

One of the highlights of this planting was the diversity of species we introduced. Urban forestry isn’t just about planting any tree anywhere; it’s about selecting the right species for the specific conditions of the street—accounting for overhead power lines (“Overhead notes”), planting strip width, and soil space.

Here is a look at what the team accomplished across Fulton, Roosevelt, Grand, Lincoln, and Murray Court:

• Canopy Builders (The Oaks): We planted two Compton Oaks on Roosevelt and two Engelmann Oaks on Grand. These are robust choices that will eventually provide significant shade and habitat.
• Drought-Tolerant Blooms: On Lincoln Avenue, we added three Chitalpas. These are fantastic, tough trees known for their orchid-like flowers and ability to handle our dry summers.
• Pop of Color: We planted three ‘Muskogee’ Crepe Myrtles on Fulton Street. These will bring beautiful lavender blooms in the summer and vibrant foliage in the fall.
• California Native: Finally, we planted a Catalina Ironwood on Murray Court. This is a special California native evergreen with fern-like leaves, perfect for a front yard planting.

A Huge Thank You

Events like this don’t happen without hands to hold the shovels. A massive thank you to the 12 volunteers who spent their Saturday morning digging, lifting, and planting. Because of your hard work, these 11 trees are now settled in their new homes, soaking up the November rain and getting ready to grow.

Want to join us for the next planting? Keep an eye on our events calendar—we’d love to see you out there!