About Tree Treks With Tree San Diego

San Diego County has over 250,000 urban trees (excluding trees in parks) and has some of the most diverse tree species of any county in the United States.

Tree San Diego is a local non-profit dedicated to improving the urban tree canopy and every month they host a community engagement event called “Tree Treks” where you join professional arborists for an urban walk to learn about the trees of San Diego and their benefits to the community, public health, and the environment.

Tree Treks are held in different parks or neighborhoods to make sure all of San Diego’s residents have an opportunity to join. A map is provided to all attendees with pre-selected trees that will be included on the walk, usually about 8-12 trees. (You also get a cool neon vest for safety when crossing streets). At each tree, a certified arborists will talk about how to identify the tree, its unique traits, and the influence it has on the surrounding environment. Urban trees require a more dedicated and proactive approach to ensure their health, so you will also learn why certain trees are selected for urban environments, the methods to properly plant them in a city, and the challenges that come with their maintenance.

Tree Treks also give you a glimpse into the history of San Diego as you’ll learn how certain non-native trees were brought to the city by settlers for specific reasons (cultural, religious) or how some species influenced the economics and industries that grew the city.

Fun fact, contrary to common belief, the majority of San Diego’s palm trees are not native and were not commonplace until brought by Europeans. In fact, the United States only has a single native palm tree – the California Fan Palm – which primarily grows in the desert regions of Southern California and is not well suited for coastal urban life. The more you know.

Best Parts

• Supporting creation of a tree canopy in San Diego
• Learning about trees and different parts of the city

Behind The Counter

Tree San Diego is the mastermind behind these events. The unsung heroes of San Diego’s urban forest, Tree San Diego has planted over 10,000 trees in San Diego over the last ten years. Many residents are unaware of these efforts and the critical need for them, hence, Tree Treks was born.

Find out more about Tree San Diego and all the other events you can join and volunteer for, including tree plantings, stewardship training, and tree give-aways.