From the Archives: Designating California’s State Tree(s)

By: Hannah Barton, Archivist

While coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), collectively known as redwood trees, are not necessarily synonymous with our local Santa Barbara region and its Mediterranean climate, it’s nearly impossible to see these trees and not think of California. They are inextricably linked, especially given the fact that 95% of the distribution of these trees in the wild is within the confines of our state borders. It’s no wonder then that these redwoods should hold the honor as our official state trees, a designation since 1953.

Here at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, we are fortunate to have our own dedicated redwood ecosystem, perfectly situated along Mission Creek, a small representation of the northern coastal forests where these giants thrive. And, did you know that our dedication to the redwoods goes one step further? In fact, our very own Maunsell Van Rensselaer (known as Van), director of the Garden from 1936 to 1950, was responsible in 1936 for proposing the designation of the redwood as California’s state tree!

Maunsell Van Rensselaer, 1942

Original letter from Maunsell Van Rensselaer, 1936

Photo: Garden Archives

Original response letter from Senate, 1937

Photo: Garden archives

With the support of state Senator John J. Hollister Jr., Van’s proposal made its way to the California Legislature in early 1937. The “California redwood” was adopted by the California State Assembly as the official state tree in 1937 and officially added to the state statutes in 1943.

This little bit of Garden history is yet another reminder that our mission reaches beyond the confines of our Garden grounds. By supporting and cultivating native plants and ecosystems not typically found here on the south coast, we can educate and inspire our visitors and transport them throughout our beautiful and diverse state. While we want to encourage and empower everyone to cultivate native plants that are most appropriate to their specific locales, we recognize that we are part of the greater California ecosystem and we remain dedicated as ever (and as proven since 1936!) to the majestic redwoods that symbolize our great state.

Want to learn more about Van, his role in designating California’s state tree, and his other conservation work? Check out Hannah’s article on our website at SBBotanicGarden.org/insights.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden redwoods, 1959

Photo: Tomlinson

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden redwoods, today

Photo: Trainor

Maunsell Van Rensselaer, 1940

Photo: Wilkes