- Author: Janet S Hartin
To date, over 2,000 climate-ready shade trees and tips on their planting and long-term care have been provided by UC Master Gardeners and over 20 partners to residents of low shade neighborhoods in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties through the “Trees for Tomorrow Start Today” project. Tree species given away are identified from research projects including the joint University of California/United States Forest Service (USFS) study at UC Riverside as well as from other research, local observations, and input from the green industry and academic colleagues.
Why is this project so important? 95% of Californians now reside in cities and suburban environments. Resulting urban heat islands created by built environments coupled with impacts of climate change can be mitigated through nature-based solutions. Planting climate-ready shade trees now will help ensure cooler urban areas in the next several decades as trees mature and maximize their urban ecosystem benefits. Fortunately, the shade from a single well-placed tree can decrease surface temperatures of black asphalt and artificial turf by more than 70 degrees F in hot inland and desert cities. Studies show that surrounding air temperatures can also be reduced through the transpiration process.
A major goal of the"Trees for Tomorrow Start Today" project is to enhance tree canopy cover in low shade neighborhoods also plagued with much higher than average levels of air pollution and pulmonary and cardiovascular disease incidence. Events over the past month have occurred in Fontana, San Bernardino, and the Salton Sea.
Thank you to all our partners and, especially, our tree recipients, for greening and cooling your yard and neighborhood! 
- Author: Janet Hartin
Fall is a great time to plant trees in our urban landscapes. Temperatures are cooler than summer and trees adjust to transplanting much better than during the heat of summer.
Why trees? Trees reduce surface temperatures of asphalt and other dark impervious surfaces by over 60 degrees F in inland cities during spring and summer. They also reduce energy usage and costs, enhance habitat and pollinator populations, absorb and store carbon dioxide, provide oxygen for our subsistence, reduce erosion, reduce glare and noise, add beauty to our neighborhoods, and enhance mental and emotional health.
I am appreciative to UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener trainee Alex Shippee for his graphic design wizardry, making a drab publication on planting trees inviting and appealing to read.
Have more questions about your trees? Contact the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener tree helpline in San Bernardino County. 22trees4tomorrow@gmail.com or our general telephone helpline at (909)387-2182 or email mgsanbern@ucanr.edu where your gardening questions can also be addressed. (You will also reach this website by following the QR code link above.) We also have this handout available in Spanish.
- Author: Janet Hartin
Applications Now Being Accepted for the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program “Trees for Tomorrow Start Today” Project.
University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) San Bernardino County is currently recruiting adults (18 and over) who are interested in becoming volunteers for our "Trees for Tomorrow" project. Complete training is provided online through a 50-hour Master Gardener training class taught by subject matter experts. Master Gardener volunteers will provide research-based information on the selection and care of heat, drought, and pest resistant trees and help our non-profit partners and community leaders enhance tree canopy cover in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. (To date, we are proud to have partnered with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, CA Climate Action Fellows and many non-profit organizations, communities, ESRI, and others to give away over 600 trees in the last year!)
Applications to become a UCCE Master Gardener volunteer for this project are open through August 31, 2022. UCCE Master Gardener “Trees for Tomorrow” Volunteer Application link: http://ucanr.edu/u.cfm?id=287
Questions about the application process or the volunteer opportunity? Contact UCCE Area Environmental Horticulturist Janet Hartin at jshartin@ucanr.edu
Why volunteer for this project? We are facing unprecedented times due to climate change and urban heat islands increasing temperatures in our communities. One of the solutions to a "cooler, greener, tomorrow" is through tree planting and proper selection and long-term care of heat, drought, and pest resistant trees.
Why trees? Shade produced by a single tree can reduce surface temperatures of asphalt and other impervious surfaces by up to 65 degrees F. Trees also lower air temperatures; enhance pollinator and wildlife habitat; absorb pollutants; reduce energy use and related costs (homes, offices, vehicles); beautify neighborhoods; absorb and store carbon dioxide; and provide many other ecosystem and societal benefits.
You can make a difference like never before enhancing tree canopy cover in our neighborhoods. Do you want to learn more about what UCCE Master Gardeners do for San Bernardino County residents and communities, find out what upcoming events they are hosting, or have them answer your horticulture questions Here's your pot of gold: https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
- Author: Janet Hartin
1. Select drought-resistant plants that grow well in your climate zone and microclimate (sun, shade, etc.). Try these search engines:
SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide (calpoly.edu) Plant Search Database
Plant Search Database - Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS IV) (ucanr.edu)
For inland San Bernardino County: Home - Inland Valley Garden Planner
2. ‘Hydrozone': Place plants with similar water needs (very low, low, medium, high) together and water the hydrozones on different valves (or, if hand watering, water plants requiring the most water longer but not necessarily more often than other plants).
3. Make sure your irrigation system is operating properly (pressure, spacing, no weeds around heads, no broken parts, etc.).
4. Irrigate based on species and seasonal water needs (highest in summer) and soil type (sandy loam, clay loam, etc.).
5. Irrigate slightly below the current root zone depth of your plants to encourage deep rooting into cooler soil: - 6”-8” for annuals, perennials, and turf - 8”- 1' for shrubs - 1' or deeper for trees
6. Water early in the morning when soil evaporation is minimal.
7. Control weeds. They compete with your garden plants for water.
8. Spread and maintain 2-4” of mulch around garden plants and trees (3-4” for wood chips, 2” for pebbles, decomposed gravel, etc.) keeping it a few inches away from tree trunks.
9. Avoid over-fertilizing. Too much nitrogen creates weak growth and the need for more water.
10. If you have a lawn and still want to keep it, water based on the UC ANR 'Lawn Watering Guide': http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8044.pdf
Contact a trained University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener in San Bernardino County for more help! mgsanbern@ucanr.edu (fastest!) or: (909)387-2182 (leave a message for a return phone call)
Redlands trees
- Author: Janet Hartin
Many previously “welcomed” urban tree species have outlived their stay, becoming invasive and crowding out other plants in our Southern California landscapes. You can help by avoiding planting these trees identified by various sources (including the California Invasive Plant Council) to be too aggressive and habitat/resource-depleting for further planting.
Invasive Trees to Avoid Planting
Athel (Tamarix aphylla)
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Blackwood Acacia (Acacia melanoxylon)
Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)
Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
Chinese Tallow Tree (Triadica sebifera)
English Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Peruvian Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)
Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima, T. gallica, T. chinensis)
Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)
Smallflower Tamarisk (Tamarix parviflora)
Tasmanian Bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus)
Plant These Instead
They are drought/heat resistant, low maintenance, and have no known significant pest or disease problems and are not currently overplanted). Find other suggestions here: https://www.cal-ipc.org/solutions/prevention/landscaping/dpp/?region=socal
African Fern Pine (Afrocarpus falcatus) (formerly Podocarpus elatior)
Cascolote (Caesalpinia cacalaco Smoothie®)
Desert Willow ‘Bubba' (Chilopsis linearis)
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Island Oak (Quercus tomentella)
‘Maverick' Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
Mulga (Acacia aneura)
Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata)
Pink Chitalpa (x Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn')
‘Red Push' Pistache (Pistacia x ‘Red Push')
Thornless South American Mesquite (Prosopis x Phoenix)
