Commemorative Tree Program

Uncovering the Secrets of Oak Trees 
Fascinating Facts You May Not Know

Southern California is no stranger to wildfires, and with increasing temperatures and extended dry seasons, it’s more important than ever to consider how landscaping choices can mitigate fire risks. Certain trees not only enhance the aesthetic value of a property but can also act as a natural firebreak, reducing the spread of wildfires. Here are five trees that are particularly effective in helping reduce fire hazards in Southern California:

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)

Features:

• This evergreen oak tree is well-adapted to dry conditions and native to the region.

• It has dense, leathery leaves that are less likely to catch fire compared to other types of vegetation.

Benefits:

• Coast live oaks are highly fire-resistant due to their high moisture content and tough leaves.

• Their deep root systems also make them drought-resistant, and their canopy provides critical shade that can prevent the growth of more flammable brush beneath.

California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)

Features:

• Native to Southern California, California sycamores are large, deciduous trees known for their wide, spreading canopy.

• They have broad leaves that create shade and moderate ground temperatures.

Benefits:

• Sycamores are effective in reducing the risk of fire by providing ample shade, which lowers the moisture loss from surrounding vegetation.

• Their thick bark resists damage from heat, and the tree's large size helps act as a natural fire barrier.

Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

Features:

• This small to medium-sized deciduous tree offers striking purple-pink flowers in the spring and attractive heart-shaped leaves.

• Western redbuds are well-suited to Southern California’s dry, sunny climate.

Benefits:

• Western redbuds have thick, waxy leaves that retain moisture and help prevent the spread of fires.

• Their relatively low flammability, combined with their deep roots, makes them a good choice for creating defensible space in fire-prone areas.

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Features:

• Often called "California holly," Toyon is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 15 feet in height.

• It has leathery leaves and red berries in the winter, providing both aesthetic and ecological value. 

Benefits:

• Toyon has a high moisture content in its leaves, making it less likely to catch fire.

• It’s a great plant for creating defensible space because of its resistance to drought and its ability to reduce the spread of fire across the landscape.

• We also heard about Toyon’s wonderful ability to provide for our wildlife here in Southern California from the naturalist, Scott Logan, from the Gottlieb garden.

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

Features:

• This deciduous tree is native to the region and can grow up to 40 feet tall.

• Its large, palmate leaves turn a striking yellow in the fall, offering seasonal beauty.

Benefits:

• California buckeye has naturally high moisture levels in its leaves and stems, making it resistant to ignition.

• In addition to its fire-resistant qualities, the tree is drought-tolerant and provides seasonal wildlife habitat.

Incorporating fire-resistant trees into landscaping is an effective strategy for homeowners in Southern California to reduce wildfire risk. Trees like the California sycamore, coast live oak, toyon, California buckeye, and western redbud offer natural protection against the spread of fires due to their high moisture content, dense foliage, and resilience to drought. When strategically planted in defensible spaces around homes and properties, these trees can be a vital part of wildfire mitigation efforts.

Devonna Hall and Libby Levine
Co-Chairs, Commemorative Trees

DOnate here

Bouquet of Thanks

Bouquet of Thanks will deliver 200 kalanchoe plants to patients, nursing stations and public areas at the Veterans Administration Medical Center for Valentine's Day/President's Day. These bright, beautiful plants will be decorated with hearts and gift tags made by Alice Harmon. We will pick up, decorate and deliver from Weidner's on February 13, starting at 10 a.m. Can you help us?  

Future projects include Easter lilies for the public areas at the Medical Center.  We will schedule a workshop for making Memorial Day flags with carnations for the patients.  Stay tuned for more details.

Please email me if you are able to help.

Thank you for your support.
Glee Logsdon

Mt Soledad Veterans Memorial 

Mid-January is the best time to give the roses at Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial their annual haircut. It's a commitment that Club members not only honor, but enjoy.  

The management of the Veterans Memorial was so pleased with their efforts that they posted a video of the team on their Instagram page, and thanked the Village Garden Club for our contributions.

Master Gardeners

FEBRUARY’s "To Do" in the Garden

Water – With the driest year on record, this must be our first priority.  Check all your plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables and containers to be sure they are getting the water they need. I often move mulch aside for winter rains and dry fertilizers to work their magic, but three weeks ago I watered in the fertilizers and then restored the mulch to its protective mode against the winds and drying sun.  

Plant – Close your eyes and imagine the luscious strawberry plants ripening in just another month or two.  They can be yours if you plant them now, about 7” apart.  

Although the bulk of flowering plants will be available in March, some are coming on the market now and can be transplanted with care.  It is also a good time to plant bare root deciduous trees, shrubs, and small evergreens.  

February is for bulb planting: agapanthus, anemones, caladium, dahlias, gladiolus, ranunculus  for the sun;  and tuberous begonias for the shade.

Sow – For the real gardeners among us, cool season vegetable and herb seeds can be sown outside in burrows. Onion sets can be placed out too.  Indoors, flower and vegetable seeds are ready to get nudged into starter mix for their eventual transplantation in April.

Buy – Azaleas, camellias, and grevillea are blooming now at the nurseries.  Rather than relying on generic labeling, choose just the variety you want. Single or double camellias seem to do better in our area.  Bare-rooted roses are also available. You can gamble with a tag description or buy one you noted and photographed on your phone.  (Hint, hint.) 

Prune – While many of our plants are at rest, it is time to prune them for better health, more attractive shapes, or increased production. Deciduous fruit trees and summer ornamentals like crepe myrtles can be carefully cut. Last chance to cut back your roses and summer flowering shrubs.  And it’s a good time to prune withering annuals and perennials.  Some need to just lose long stems.  Cannas and asparagus fern can be cut back to the ground. New crowns in smaller plants, like foxglove, may be forming, and you can cut back to those.  Avoid spring flowering shrubs, trees and vines because if pruned now, you’ll interfere with flowering. 

Deadheading with fingers or a pruner can help your winter bloomers look better for a longer period.

Divide – When certain hardy perennials begin to put out new growth,

You can also use our two websites:  mg.ucanr.edu and mastergardenersd.org.

BJ Boland, Karen White and Heather Hazen

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Thanks to your contributions during WAA's January matching event, the Village Garden Club has already sponsored 250 wreaths--approximately the number of wreaths in this photo! 

We appreciate your support during the May membership renewal process, year round at this link, and at the September, October and November meetings. We look forward to National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 13.

With Gratitude,
The Wreaths Across America Committee