Greening Union City, One Tree at a Time

Nelson Kirk cares about the future of Union City. 

You may not notice it today, in a month, or even in a year. But five decades from now, when the city’s streets are lined with 60-foot to 80-foot tall trees that not only clean but create the air we breathe, the residents of Union City can say “Thank you” to the man who planted the seed. 

In December, Kirk, public works supervisor for Union City’s Grounds Division, spearheaded a campaign to plant 100 Cedrus deodara (deodar cedar) trees throughout the city. The four locations were along Alvarado Niles Road, Union City Boulevard, Mission Boulevard and Decoto Road.

Native to India and Pakistan, this species of tree is well suited for the Bay Area’s soils and climate, so much so that cedars have been planted in the Tri-City area for more than 100 years, Kirk said. 

A lifelong nature lover and gardener, Kirk worked in Fremont's parks maintenance division for 18 years. For the last four years, he's served the City of Union City.

Kirk’s enthusiasm for the earth is reflected in his daily maintenance and upkeep of the city's grounds.

Beyond these duties, Kirk is concerned with Union City’s bigger ecological picture: how the city’s foliage will fare two, three, or even six decades from now.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time to plant is today,” said Kirk. 

Playing a major role in the Grounds Division’s choice of what trees to plant is a word that seems to be on everyone’s lips these days—sustainability.

Sustainability is key as it is one of the main themes of Union City’s General Plan, which calls for an awareness to climate change. Union City has the ability to become more environmentally sustainable by reducing its ecological footprint in numerous ways. And the planting of trees is an integral step in making the city sustainable, Kirk said.

“Sustainability plays the biggest role” in deciding which greenery to plant, Kirk said. “We can lose up to 100 trees in Union City each year, due to storms, disease, old age, utility issues and safety removals. By replanting, we offset the losses and gain more tree canopy.”

However, tree planting is not just a matter of keeping up with the losses, it is also about creating a surplus of nature’s most integral protectors and producers. 

Besides offering tranquility and contributing to the natural aesthetic of a community, trees also provide many environmental benefits, Kirk said.

According to Kirk, a single large tree can release up to 400 gallons of water into the atmosphere each day. Conversely, its foliage traps dust and filters out smog-producing compounds from the air we breathe.

Trees also cleanse ground water as it filters through their root systems. Moreover,  water from roots is drawn up to the leaves, where it evaporates. The conversion from water to gas absorbs huge amounts of heat, cooling hot city air.

These are just a few of the reasons Kirk and his crew work diligently to keep up with Union City’s ecological needs. 

“A tangible, cooperative community effort can provide for the continuity of this valuable resource,” Kirk said. 

According to the Public Works Supervisor, studies have proved that for every dollar spent on maintaining trees, the public receives three dollars' worth of benefits. 

“No place is complete without trees,” Kirk said. “A home without trees is charmless. A street without trees is shadeless. A park without trees is purposeless. A country without trees is hopeless. 

“We will continue to help renew and enhance Union City’s urban forest for future generations.”

Grow your own roots in Union City—volunteer in a number of upcoming projects

Union City is fortunate to have volunteer groups who step up and participate in a majority of tree-planting projects, Kirk said. Several such projects are taking place at points all around Union City.

March 17 will celebrate “Greening the Park!” at Union City Civic Center, 34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd., from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Arrive with gloves and sturdy shoes (no sandals), bring along some water, and be prepared to make a tangible change to your city.

Help plant native trees to enhance the wildlife habitat of the creek running behind the skate park. In addition, you can stencil storm drains with the “No Dumping- Drains to Bay” message and pick up trash along the creek to improve water quality. 

To participate in this event, sign up at handsonconservation.org. For any questions, contact Amy Evans, resource conservationist for the Alameda County Resource Conservation District at (925) 371-0154, ext. 112.

At , on the corner of Smith and Watkins Streets, on March 26, a local Eagle Scout project will be planting trees, shrubs and vines; spreading wildflower and grass seed mix; and creating benches. The group will return on April 23 to finish up their previous work in addition to painting picnic tables and a horse shoe pit with the help of volunteers. 

On April 30, individuals from will be planting foliage at William Cann Civic Center Park, Contempo Park and Seven Hills Community Garden from 9 a.m. until noon. 

The Resonate Church of Fremont will be planting native trees and installing bird boxes along with creek watershed signage at on May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Notable neighbors

Within the last two weeks, volunteers from the Quintero family and the Union City’s work furlough crew, along with Rick and Elizabeth Silva from the Hanford Neighborhood Watch Group, have planted 45 red-flowering crape myrtles and 44 Boston ivy vines along Hanford Street, according to Kirk.

Plus, Rajiv Samagond from the Boy Scouts of America Troop 176 and his crew planted 30 flowering Eastern redbuds and numerous flowering shrubs along Alvarado Boulevard and Galaxy Drive.

For more information about how you can become involved in tree plantings around town, contact Nelson Kirk by phone, (510) 675-5422, or email, nelsonk@ci.union-city.ca.us.