Today was Oak Tree Day in Santa Clarita, where residents came to learn about, plant, and even take home some Oak trees.

Mayor Laurene Weste was on hand along with Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean to welcome and thank the crowd that showed up to support the day’s events.

There were several reasons for the day, one of which being the clarification of an older city ordinance which made it difficult for residents to have Oak trees.

The very first City ordinance on record was one that was intended to protect Oak trees from large scale destruction by land developers. “Unfortunately, the language of that ordinance effectively prevented residents from planting, trimming or cutting down Oak trees in their own yards” said Robert Sartain, Urban Forestry Supervisor for the City of Santa Clarita. In 2004 the city revised the ordinance, and  now they want to get the word out to the public.

“We are planting 20 Oak trees of seven different varieties, and we’re giving away 100 more for residents to take home and plant. Since the revision, people can plant Oak trees in their yard, and they will not be subject to the restrictions they were before, so long as they simply register the tree with us” Said Sartain.

Santa Clarita has also received state funds that allow for the public to request city trees to be planted in their front yards free of charge. This can be done by calling the Urban Forestry division at 294-2567 and setting an appointment. They will then invite you to the nursery at Central Park, where you can pick from a variety of trees.

For more information on Urban Forestry projects in Santa Clarita, check out www.santa-clarita.com.    

Jon Dell

KHTS AM 1220 News

10-28-06