Did you know that a colony of Palmer's Oak (Quercus palmeri) in the Jurupa Hills has been around 13,000 years old, about 8,000 years older than bristlecone pines and 10,000 years older than California redwoods? Patience has undoubtedly helped its survival; it grows an average of 1/20th of an inch a year! 

The planting appears to be a remnant of a woody vegetation growing in the inland valley at the hay day of the Ice Age.  The Jurupa Oak lives a humble wind-stunted life in the Jurupa hills sandwiched between granite boulders.  Since the species is ordinarily found in higher elevations in wetter, cooler regions, it raised the eyebrows of scientists trying to piece together its path to success.  A team of UC Davis researchers discovered that this specific planting did not produce fertile acorns; genetic testing determined that the tangled cluster of stems originated from a single plant. New growth arises from the base of burned stems following fire forming a hodgepodge of stems. 

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Please watch for regular updates regarding how you can help out at Spring Edible and Sustainable Landscaping workshops our MG program is presenting in the valley, mountain, and desert areas of San Bernardino County.  We have numerous powerpoint presentations ready to go or be amended to fit your needs on all topics we'll be covering.  If your skillbase is in areas rather than serving as a presenter, we can use your help with promotion, greeting attendees and helping with coffee breaks.  This is truly an exciting time for our program!  And, we'll have an especially good reason to celebrate in 2014 since it is UC Cooperative Extension's 100 anniversary! 

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Consider supporting our MG program by purchasing  UCCE San Bernardino County MG mugs ($7), t-shirts ($12), and grocery bags ($5) for friends and family members.  They will be for sale in our UCCE office located at 777 E. Rialto Avenue from noon - 3 pm  this Thursday December 19th and at our meeting at 2000 Founders Drive in Chino Hills at 1:00-4:00 pm this Saturday December 21. 

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Have a great week!

Janet