Exploring the Urban Forest: CityTrees Tree Walk with Stanford Arborist James Biddle
On Saturday, July 20th, CityTrees had the pleasure of hosting a Tree Walk led by Stanford Arborist James Biddle, attracting over 30 residents and multiple CityTrees Board Members. This immersive event allowed participants to explore the diverse and vibrant urban forest of Redwood City.
James Biddle expressed his excitement, saying, “It was an awesome tour with an engaged group. Some of the highlights were the biggest coast redwood in Redwood City, the tropical garden with the spiky silk floss tree on Arlington Rd, and the beautiful flowers of the crape myrtle and southern magnolia street trees. People learned about the incredible variety of trees that can grow in our climate and also how our organization helps the city better manage their trees.”
The tour began in the Southern magnolia-lined streets of the Edgewood Park neighborhood. Participants marveled at the stunning variety of trees, including native California species like valley oak, coast live oak, and California bay laurel, as well as exotic species such as the silk floss tree and Marina arbutus. The crape myrtle street trees were in full bloom, adding a splash of color to the tour, and many attendees enjoyed the chance to smell the fragrant magnolia flowers.
One of the standout moments was visiting the largest coast redwood in Redwood City, a majestic and awe-inspiring sight. Attendees were not just passive observers; they were incredibly engaged, asking questions and sharing their own experiences and knowledge about the trees.
This event was more than just a walk; it was an educational journey that left participants with a deeper appreciation for the urban forest in Redwood City. People came away with numerous ideas about the incredible variety of trees that thrive in our climate and a better understanding of how CityTrees works to help the city manage and enhance its tree canopy.
Overall, the CityTrees Tree Walk with James Biddle was a resounding success, inspiring residents to connect with their local environment and fostering a sense of community around the shared goal of preserving and enhancing our urban forest. We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future and continuing to engage our community in the beauty and importance of urban forestry.