As tropical storm looms, Huntington Library doubles down on effort to protect its trees

Two days before the likely first tropical storm to hit this area in 84 years barrels down in Pasadena, Nicole Cavender and Shadi Shihab knew one thing: they were ready. They will be on call this weekend, ready to protect the nearly 1,000 tree species that belong to one vital part of the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino.

“We’re confident we’ve done all we can, knowing all the work we’ve been doing,” said Cavender, who is director of The Huntington’s botanical gardens.

That conviction comes from going over the work done since The Huntington’s historic tree canopy was battered by the windstorms of 2011 and severe droughts that punctuated the 2000s.

Shihab, the garden’s superintendent, said they lost 60 trees from the torrential rains and heavy winds that battered Southern California this winter and spring alone.

More than a dozen powerful storms unleashed rain in excess of 40 inches, which contributed to the loss of 35 trees, including 11 mature Coast Live Oaks, some of which were standing before Henry and Arabella bought the grounds more than 100 years ago.

The loss of these storied giants was significant, according to Keisha Raines, communications associate at The Huntington.

That’s the clarion call behind HARP, or Huntington Arboreal Recovery Project, a campaign to raise $50,000 by Sept. 6. The money will be used to replace fallen trees, manage mature trees and maintain the native and rare, non-native trees in the collection.

The Diane and Ron Miller Charitable Fund will match every gift up to $10,000.

“Every tree needs a champion, every tree needs to be cared for,” Cavender said.

Tree-tending never ends for the Huntington team, which documents, lists and maps every tree in their collection.

“Everywhere you see trees, we’re working on it,” Shihab said. He keeps a photo catalog of beloved trees of The Huntington on his phone, like a proud parent.

Unfortunately, he also has photos of work showing expensive damage from extreme weather. Shihab points out stumps from trees that have fallen down and could not be saved after storm surges. Cavender walks around one live oak in the Chinese Garden they were able to save, but only after much study and discussion.

Cavender, who has a doctorate in horticulture and crop science, can list the importance of trees, from breathing clean air, enjoying shade, filtering water and providing a home for wildlife.

Then there’s the natural and cultural history on the grounds. One Coast Live Oak tree in the Chinese Garden is 200 years old. The 112-foot-tall Queensland kauris, an official California Big Tree, towering over the Rose Garden was planted in 1890.

And then there are 12 Montezuma Cypresses in the Rose Garden and near the lily ponds, direct descendants of the trees the Mexica planted in Chapultepec in 1450. Shihab’s predecessor, William Hertrich brought their seeds to The Huntington in 1912.

The new campaign is a plea to all tree lovers, said Marina Kohler, director of donor engagement.

“Trees are getting hit right now,” Cavender said. “We’re seeing this is a global phenomenon, from diseases to climate, extreme temperatures, rainfall, drought. They’re not that different from us. When we’re overly taxed, we get sick. Same with trees. And trees are irreplaceable.”

The campaign to maintain an important public green space will preserve the Huntington’s trees for the next generation, too.

“We have to think beyond our lifetimes,” Cavender said. “What protections can we put in place that will take care of trees after we’re gone? Then we do the right thing.”

For more information, call Marina Kohler at 626-405-3497 or email mkohler@huntington.org. Donate by phone at 626-405-2290 or contact advancement@huntington.org. Mail Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, Attn: Office of Advancement, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108.