Visitors Center

PLEASE NOTE: This center is now closed and in storage.

We are seeking a new home for these public resources.

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California Center for Sustainable Energy
Advice and Technical Assistance Center for Urban Forestry

A section of this large educational resource center was devoted to urban forestry and addressed a variety of topics - like quality nursery stock, tree planting advice, urban agriculture and the enormous benefits of urban trees. The entry had a redwood garden arch created by Palomar College's woodworking program.  It was constructed from lumber milled from a 100-year-old decayed redwood tree that had to be removed from Marston Point in San Diego's historic Balboa Park.  Another feature was the slab table made from a downed 100-year-old Torrey pine tree both are examples of practical and sustainable reuse of fallen urban trees.

Prominent on one wall in the visitor center was a large mural depicting an ancient coast live oak tree.  It was photographed by Thomas Kelsey during a taping for an episode of Huell Howser's "California's Gold." The tree is alive and well just north of the San Diego County border on the Pechanga Indian reservation.  It is estimated at least 1,000 to 1,500 years old. The sign suggests that there is reason for concern, as San Diego's urban forest is losing trees at an alarming rate.

This center provided many resources on growing fruit and nut trees,
choosing hybrids and rootstock, pruning techniques,
disease issues, integrated pest management
and size control.