Joan Irvine Smith Donates 106 Native Coastal Oak Trees to Irvine

IRVINE, Calif., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Irvine has received a generous donation of an initial thirty-six Native Coastal Oak Trees grown by Joan Irvine Smith, philanthropist and heiress to the Irvine Ranch. Further, Mrs. Smith has agreed to provide seventy additional trees during the course of the Orange County Great Park forestation project, where all the trees will be planted.

Joan Irvine Smith is the great-granddaughter of James Irvine II, who sold seven square miles of lima bean fields to the United States Navy to allow for the development of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Her trees will become a part of the forestation that is transforming the former military base into a great metropolitan park.

"The Great Park Board Corporation profoundly appreciates Joan Irvine Smith's tree donation," said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Board Corporation.  "Her generous gift is especially significant because it represents the legacy of the Irvine Family on Great Park Land and because visitors will be able to enjoy the trees for generations to come."

Mrs. Smith grew the donated trees from acorns gathered from trees that are between 200 and 300 years old growing on her horse farm in San Juan Capistrano.  She started growing the trees in one gallon containers.  The trees now stand at 7 feet tall.

"It gives me great pleasure to donate to the Great Park 106 California Coastal Oaks which I have grown here at my farm The Oaks in San Juan Capistrano. My grandfather James Irvine II loved nature and in particular the beautiful oaks and sycamore trees located in Irvine Park. Given the many years that my family and I have enjoyed the park this is my way to continue my grandfather's great legacy for generations to come," said Joan Irvine Smith.

Mrs. Smith has donated trees to the City of San Juan Capistrano, University of California, Irvine and the Great Park. Her gift will be permanently recorded in the Great Park Tree Registry.  The tree registry will allow people to go online and learn how to donate trees and make contributions for the care of trees at the Great Park.

For more information about the Orange County Great Park, please go to www.ocgp.org

SOURCE Orange County Great Park Corporation