Valley Oak Restoration Area

The trees here are Valley oak, the first trees planted at the Preserve by volunteers in 1988. In 2024, forest thinning was completed to improve overall forest health, reduce competition for water, and increase resilience to drought and wildfire.

Key indicators of resilience in this oak woodland include:

Tree Health & Growth – Annual growth rates, canopy density, leaf-out timing, and signs of stress during drought years.

Drought Response – Leaf drop timing, branch dieback, and natural regeneration of seedlings.

Wildfire Resilience – Fuel loads, understory density, and post-thinning forest structure.

Regeneration – Survival rates of young oaks and natural recruitment over time.

Wildlife Use – Seasonal bird, insect, and mammal activity supported by acorns and canopy habitat.

Tracking these indicators helps assess how the woodland adapts to hotter summers, variable rainfall, and long-term climate change while maintaining ecosystem health.