New trees line Stanly Lane eucalyptus grove

A vehicle is dwarfed by the row of 100-foot tall eucalyptus trees along Stanly Lane in south Napa. Owners of the Stanly Ranch have planted about a hundred 10-foot tall oak trees, like those seen on the right, to replace a row of eucalyptus trees that were cut down.
Photo Credit: J.L. Sousa/Register

Eucalyptus have dominated the skyline along Stanly Lane for more than a century, but now there’s a new sapling on the block.

Stanly Lane Vineyards has planted 100 valley oaks. If they thrive, they could someday create another landmark tree line defining where Napa ends and the Carneros grape-growing region begins. Most of the new oaks, standing 8 feet tall, run along the south side of Stanly Lane for nearly a half mile near the Napa River. They complement a thinned row of century-old, 100-foot eucalyptus on the north side.

The new tree line was promised more than five years ago when Stanly Ranch Vineyards subdivided the historic Stanly Ranch into parcels for six public-tasting wineries and another 10 boutique operations. “Finally getting these trees in the ground is a major milestone,” said Michael Champion, the chair of the city’s Tree Advisory Commission.

The Tree Commission pushed hard for valley oaks, which are native to California, to replace the eucalyptus, an Australian import, that formerly ran along the south side. Stanly Ranch Vineyards didn’t want eucalyptus near its new vineyards, fearing that eucalyptus oils would give an unwanted taste to the grapes. The historic windrow, planted in the 19th century, was also considered a safety hazard.

Today’s tree line-up along Stanly Lane represents a compromise between preservationists, who wanted the old eucalyptus windbreak maintained, and champions of native plants, who view eucalyptus as a giant weed. Having 8-foot valley oaks opposite towering eucalyptus is something of a mismatch, but it satisfies opposing community sentiments, saya Beth Painter, a consultant to Stanly Ranch Vineyards.

If the valley oaks do well, they could achieve heights approaching 80 feet, said Bill Pramuk, a consultant arborist to Stanly Ranch Vineyards. Valley oaks are America’s largest oaks, he said. Within 10 years, the trees could be 30 or more feet, becoming a natural landmark to traffic whizzing by on Highway 29 at the Butler Bridge.

Stanly Ranch Vineyards is committed to watering the new oaks for three years, while also maintaining the opposite eucalyptus, which are a defining aesthetic feature of the property. Before the thinning and pruning, the eucalyptus were considered a safety hazard. They are now healthy and “doing surprisingly well.

Pramuk wouldn’t predict the health of the eucalyptus at the east end of Stanly Lane in 20 years. They are capable of self-propagation, but are vulnerable to major freezes, he said.

Nearly half of the new oaks planted by Stanly Ranch Vineyards are clustered at locations away from the road, where they will help recreate the Napa Valley landscape of 200 years ago.

Stanly Lane is still home to a dense double row of eucalyptus close to Highway 12/121. Located on city property, these trees are an arboreal jungle, tilting every which way and frequently sending major limbs crashing to the ground.

The city intends to turn this original stretch of Stanly Lane into a bike and pedestrian path that connects to new paths built by Stanly Ranch Vineyards through its property, said Dave Perazzo, the city’s parks superintendent.

Pedestrians and cyclists have the right to take these paths to the Napa River or swing south on a private road, connecting to Cuttings Wharf Road, Perazzo said.

Stanly Ranch is increasingly popular with cyclists who can now safely cross Highway 12 at a light funded by Stanly Ranch Vineyards. The new road system at Stanly Ranch is private, with a gate that is locked at night. Cyclists and hikers are welcome along this road, but not the motoring public unless it has business there. The only ranch development so far is Merryvale Vineyard’s Starmont winery, which does not currently offer tours or tastings.

While old Stanly Lane is still open to vehicular traffic, the city is planning to close it to all but hikers and cyclists, Perazzo said.

Eucalyptus debris has narrowed the pavement to one lane, which is dotted with enormous potholes.

Source: KEVIN COURTNEY, Napa Valley Register