Joint tree planting party benefits Fallbrook

FALLBROOK — On Saturday morning, February 16, Fallbrook Save Our Forest (SOF) and El Tigre Market held a community tree planting event at the market’s shopping center at 1346 South Mission Road.

Most SOF work “parties” are all digging and planting, but in this case, it was a party atmosphere, with El Tigre furnishing a delicious Mexican breakfast and Mexico radio personality El Gallo providing entertainment.

Thirty-five volunteers planted 23 trees along Mission Road and in the El Tigre shopping center parking lot.

In the combined effort, El Tigre pre-dug the holes and installed irrigation. SOF provided the trees (mostly from its nursery) and the expertise for planting and community volunteers did the planting.

Trees provided were a variety of Los Angeles silk floss, Chinese flame, camphor and fern pines.

Jackie Heyneman, head of SOF, said that beside the obvious benefit of the attractiveness of the trees, they help prevent “heat islands” in parking lots, in which autos parked in unshaded areas can generate significant gasoline fumes.

“Everyone benefits from the planting of trees,” said Heyneman. “They enhance our community, create energy-saving shade and improve air quality for a healthier environment.”

Those interested in volunteering for future tree plantings or other SOF activities can reach Heyneman through the Fallbrook Land Conservancy office at (760)728-0889.