UPDATE: Nov. 27, 8:27 a.m. Marin County Parks officials have moved the holiday tree harvest to Saturday, Dec. 8 due to the impending wet and stormy weather. Natural Resource Specialist Matt Sagues said reservations for the event were full as of Monday night at 10 p.m. But people can put their names on a wait list, Sauges said.
Marin residents looking for an authetic (and free) holiday tree harvesting expereince are in luck this year.
Marin County Parks is organizing a San Geronimo Valley event where families can pick out, cut down and take home their own holiday tree. It’s the second annual holiday tree harvest in Marin; Last year’s harvest was a hit when more than 300 invasive Monterey Pine trees were removed at Ring Mountain in Tiburon.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., commuinty members can pick out, cut down and take home trees from the Roy’s Redwoods and Maurice Thorner preserves.
Families are encouraged to make a reservation for this event because tree quantities are limited.
Parks staff will assist families as they use maps to locate and pick out a pine tree from the preserves before cutting it down. Brownie Troop 32311 from San Rafael will offer baked goods and hot chocolate to raise funds for local schools at the event.
Monterey Pine trees have recently spread rapidly into native habitats in the San Geronimo Valley. Open space preserves and conservation easements, which cover more than 40 percent of San Geronimo Valley, are home to rare plants and the valley’s streams are habitat for threatened steelhead and endangered Coho salmon.
The 411: Meet at the San Geronimo Valley Golf Course parking lot at 5800 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Participants should dress in layers and wear clothing that is appropriate for hiking through scrub in difficult terrain. The trees are scattered throughout the preserves and may be difficult to access. Refreshments, tools and interpretive talks will be provided.
For more information, or to make a reservation, contact Natural Resource Specialist Matt Sagues at msagues@marincouny.org. Heavy rains may cancel the event. Call (415) 473-2686 on the morning of Dec. 1 to hear a recorded message if the event is cancelled.
If you are a person with a disability and require assistance to participate in this activity, contact Steve Petterle at (415) 473-6387, TTY (415) 473-2495, CRS dial 711, or spetterle@marincounty.org.
