Encino's Historic Oaks

In August of 1769 while following an Indian trail a scouting team of Spanish soldiers and Franciscans came across a large expanse of oak trees in what was to become the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles. Impressed by these trees, they named it "El Valle de Santa Catalina de Bononia de los Encinos"--"The Valley of Saint Catherine of Bononia of the Oaks." As they followed the trail they encountered a Tongva Indian village among the oak woodland. These Tongva residents had named the area Syútkanga or 'Place of Oak'.

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Los Encinos Historic State Park, located in the midst of the Tongva village area that later became Encino section of the San Fernando Valley, maintains the native oak tradition with live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and at least one valley oak (Quercus

Los Encinos Historic State Park, located in the midst of the Tongva village area that later became Encino section of the San Fernando Valley, maintains the native oak tradition with live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and at least one valley oak (Quercus lobata). Photo: predominantly oak canopy along southern edge of Los Encinos Historic State Park as viewed from above and across Ventura Boulevard looking to the northeast. Note the pond as an expression of a natural spring at the site.

Some oaks, such as this live oak on Ventura Blvd., were saved from the massive removals that accompanied Los Angeles’ rapid urbanization.

Some oaks, such as this live oak on Ventura Blvd., were saved from the massive removals that accompanied Los Angeles’ rapid urbanization.