Landmark Trees Bike Tour

OCTOBER 2022 Our Community Forest: Landmark Trees Bike Tour

This 10 a.m. tour, led by docents Steve Radosevich and Rolf Frankenbach of the Woodland Tree Foundation will begin at City Park, at corner of Oak and Walnut streets. Bicycle helmets are required to join the tour.

Trees, they symbolize Woodland — the “City of Trees.” This has been Woodland’s motto since at least 1930. But the community’s identification with its trees stretches back to 1861 when the town’s godmother, Gertrude Freeman gave Woodland its name. Some of the monarch valley oaks from that era still remain, although they are gradually disappearing due to old age, disease, development and removal. Once the scene of thousands of valley oaks, today, Woodland contains less than 900 of these native oaks of appreciable size, mixed among a wide variety of trees planted in abundance by Woodland citizens throughout its history.

Some of these prominent tree species — including valley oak, cork oak, American elm, paradox walnut and Canary Island palms — have been designated city landmarks. Discover these fascinating trees and others by strapping on your helmet and following Steve Radosevich on a leisurely ride around the core area as he discusses current efforts to preserve and expand the community forest to combat global warming. Learn where Woodland’s largest and oldest trees are found, how the age of large oaks are determined, and where world-renowned horticulturalist Luther Burbank’s walnut tree is planted, and efforts to reintroduce oaks to Woodland.

Look for acorns to collect, germinate and plant to contribute to the growth of Woodland’s community forest as we work together to cool our planet. Ken Byes/Enterprise file photo Bicycling Strollers tour historic Woodland in 2021. Docent Steve Radosevich and Rolf Frankenbach of the Woodland Tree Foundation will lead a tour of Woodland’s landmark trees.