Oakland

When we bought property in Oakland, California, one of the many papers we signed was from the City of Oakland, informing us it is illegal to cut down oak trees in Oakland. Our property includes a beautiful Quercus agrifolia oak tree at the edge of the property, overhanging the street, and providing shade and habitat for many woodland creatures. We were committing to owning property in Oakland, and to providing stewardship for a living tree that will surely outlive us.

Oakland was once an oak woodland forest, situated by the San Francisco Bay and inhabited by the Ohlone people. The forests of Oakland and Alameda must have been a beautiful site. Few oaks remain by comparison, but you can find pockets of oak woodland forests in the area on unused land or in protected areas and parks. Oakland’s effort to protect its oaks may help restore a portion of the trees that gave Oakland her name.

This video from Save the Bay provides beautiful images of oak trees, and a brief history of Oakland and her namesake trees.