Benicia’s first ‘Heritage Tree’ was dedicated in City Park, Saturday, May 21, 2011. Wolfram Alderson, Executive Director of the Benicia Tree Foundation, called the event “A moment in history,” and invited community members to participate.
The native California Coast Live Oak is estimated to be between 70-100 years old, with trunk size of 3.5 feet and a canopy of 50 feet, making the tree one of the largest and oldest in Benicia. A small gathering of interested community members, including Vice Mayor Alan Schwartzman, JB Davis, editor of Benicia Patch, Sue Fisher-Jones, Valero Community Relations Manager and Mario Giuliani, Acting Economic Development Manager, were on hand to honor the tree during the ceremony.
Anyone can nominate a tree for Heritage designation, as long as it has at least one of the following criteria:
Historical significance;
2. Over 30 inches in diameter measured 48 inches above the ground;
3. Unique or rare horticultural specimen;
4. Uniqueness of size of age;
5. Aesthetic value due to symmetry, form, color, or other qualities;
6. An outstanding specimen of a desirable species, especially native oak species;
7. Significance for habitat preservation, including where tree is one of a group of trees each
dependant on the other for survival
For more information contact the Benicia Tree Foundation at info@beniciatrees.org.
