Guardians of
Lodi's Urban Forest
For two decades, Tree Lodi has planted, preserved, and protected the trees that make our community greener, cooler, and more beautiful.
From One Voice to a Movement
Tree Lodi began with a single determined citizen attending Lodi City Council meetings. Joyce Harmon, concerned about the mistletoe overtaking the city's trees, became known as "the Mistletoe Lady" for her persistent advocacy starting in 2003. To amplify her voice, she enlisted fellow citizens who shared her love of trees and co-founded Tree Lodi, Inc. in 2005.
What started as a campaign against mistletoe quickly grew into a comprehensive urban forestry organization. Tree Lodi's mission expanded to advocate for all aspects of Lodi's urban forest — from planting and maintenance to education and stewardship — working hand-in-hand with the City of Lodi and dedicated volunteers.
Today, Tree Lodi is an all-volunteer nonprofit that partners with the City of Lodi, Lodi Electric Utility, CAL FIRE, the California ReLeaf Network, schools, scouts, churches, and civic organizations. From the Centennial Cork Oaks to the Ed DeBenedetti Park Tree Laboratory to the wildly popular Shade Tree Program, Tree Lodi's fingerprints are on nearly every corner of Lodi's growing canopy.
Born in Nova Scotia in 1924, Joyce graduated from McGill University and moved to California in 1949, working as a paralegal RN at Lodi Memorial Hospital. In 2003 she began her tireless campaign at City Council meetings to combat mistletoe, earning the affectionate title "the Mistletoe Lady."
With the support of knowledgeable tree advocates, she founded Tree Lodi in 2005 and left behind a meticulous archive of handwritten notes, documents, and newspaper clippings chronicling the organization's growth.
In May 2024, members past and present celebrated her 100th birthday by planting the Joyce Harmon Memorial Grove in Henry Glaves Park — a living tribute to her enduring legacy.
1924 – November 18, 2024Our Four Pillars
Tree Lodi promotes and advocates for Lodi's urban forest through four guiding commitments.
Planting
From park shade trees to memorial groves, we add diverse, climate-adapted species to Lodi's canopy each year.
Preserving
We monitor tree health, combat threats like mistletoe, and maintain plantings through their critical first years.
Promoting
Through community events, educational workshops, and partnerships, we champion the benefits of a thriving urban forest.
Protecting
We advocate at all levels of city government to ensure Lodi's trees receive the care and policy support they deserve.
A Growing Legacy
Two decades of planting, advocating, and building community — one tree at a time.
Joyce Harmon begins attending Lodi City Council meetings to raise awareness about mistletoe damaging city trees, earning the nickname "the Mistletoe Lady."
Joyce Harmon and like-minded citizens formally establish Tree Lodi, Inc. as a nonprofit community organization to advocate for Lodi's urban forest.
FoundingTree Lodi begins planting Centennial Cork Oaks and participates in Arbor Day and Earth Day celebrations. Trees are planted at Lodi Lake, Kofu Park, Hale Park, Henry Glaves Park, Lawrence Park, Salas Park, Emerson Park, Vinewood Park, and Borchardt Elementary.
With the leadership of then-Parks Superintendent Steve Dutra, the City of Lodi earns its first Tree City USA designation — a distinction it has now held for 23 consecutive years.
RecognitionUnder President Gordon Schmierer (UC Master Gardener), Tree Lodi begins planning and fundraising for a 213-tree outdoor laboratory of 26 species at Ed DeBenedetti Park — California natives and climate-adapted varieties selected by Steve Dutra.
Major Project213 trees of 26 different species are planted surrounding the soccer fields at DeBenedetti Park. Tree Lodi maintains the trees during their critical first three years and installs an informational kiosk at the parking lot entrance.
Tree Lodi receives a CAL FIRE State of California grant to plant trees in Lodi's Heritage District, bringing canopy to an underserved area. Residents receive watering buckets, magnets with care reminders, and first-year monitoring.
Grant PartnershipTree Lodi partners with the City of Lodi to administer the Memorial Tree Program, offering 15-gallon trees ($100) and 24" boxed trees ($300) in city parks, with optional bronze plaques.
City PartnershipIn partnership with the City of Lodi and Lodi Electric Utility, Tree Lodi launches the free Shade Tree Program, providing trees to electric utility customers to reduce energy costs and expand the urban canopy. All 500 trees are reserved within weeks.
Flagship ProgramCalifornia ReLeaf features Tree Lodi's Shade Tree Program in its 2023 Annual Report, highlighting the remarkable community response and innovative utility partnership model.
State RecognitionPast and present members celebrate founder Joyce Harmon's 100th birthday by planting the Joyce Harmon Memorial Grove at Henry Glaves Park — a living tribute to her vision and persistence.
TributeBy the end of the fourth Shade Tree Program season, over 2,400 trees have been delivered to Lodi residents — approximately 500 per year — setting the stage for continued growth.
By January 2026, the fifth Shade Tree Program season has pushed total deliveries past 3,200 trees. The sixth cycle is planned for September 2026.
MilestoneKey Contributors
Tree Lodi has been shaped by dedicated volunteers who bring diverse expertise — from arboriculture and horticulture to nonprofit management and community organizing.
Joyce Harmon
Born in Nova Scotia, McGill graduate, and longtime Lodi resident. Her 2003 mistletoe campaign at City Council evolved into the founding of Tree Lodi in 2005. Left a detailed archive of the organization's early history.
Steve Dutra
Former City of Lodi Park Superintendent, Certified Arborist, and Pest Control Advisor. Submitted Lodi's first Tree City USA application and has championed the designation annually for 23 years. Designed and selected all 213 species for DeBenedetti Park Tree Laboratory.
Gordon Schmierer
UC Master Gardener who spearheaded the planning, fundraising, and outreach for the Ed DeBenedetti Park Tree Laboratory — Tree Lodi's largest single undertaking, with 213 trees of 26 species planted as an outdoor research laboratory.
William (Bill) Nantt
Lifelong Lodi resident, Tokay High and CalPoly SLO graduate with deep roots in horticulture — from retail nursery sales and landscape design to tree maintenance and training. Retired from Caltrans as IVM (Integrated Vegetation Management) and Tree Program Manager. As Tree Lodi's Community Arborist, Bill led the Shade Tree Program from its pilot year, conducting hundreds of home site visits, advising residents on species selection, and coordinating with nine regional nurseries. In Year One alone, his work delivered 573 trees of 33 species to 191 households.
Nancy Mehlhaff
Joyce Harmon's daughter and a founding-era member since 2005. Born in Berkeley, Nancy graduated from Lodi High School and Humphreys Business College before a 25-year career in Finance at Lodi Memorial Hospital. Elected as a director in 2012 and serving as Secretary/Treasurer, she provides institutional memory, nonprofit financial stewardship, and continuity of her mother's founding vision across two decades of growth.
Robin Fuller
UC Master Gardener and Tree Lodi member who has documented the organization's history and contributed to public education through written materials. Instrumental in preserving Tree Lodi's institutional knowledge for future generations.
Our Volunteers
Tree Lodi is 100% volunteer-powered. Members include arborists, business owners, educators, homemakers, and retirees. Master Gardener certifications, Caltrans forestry experience, horticulture degrees, and a shared passion for trees drive every planting season.
City of Lodi & Partners
The City of Lodi, Lodi Electric Utility, CAL FIRE, California ReLeaf, Lodi Unified School District, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and local churches have all been integral partners in Tree Lodi's mission to grow Lodi's urban forest.
Events & Awards
From state-level recognition to beloved community traditions, these moments mark Tree Lodi's impact.
Tree City USA Designation
Lodi has maintained its Tree City USA designation for 23 consecutive years, meeting annual standards for tree governance, ordinance, funding, and Arbor Day observance.
Arbor Day & Earth Day Celebrations
Tree Lodi has been an active participant in annual Arbor Day and Earth Day events since its founding, organizing community tree plantings across Lodi's parks and schools.
Heritage District Tree Planting
A State of California CAL FIRE grant funded tree planting in Lodi's Heritage District, bringing canopy to an underserved area and demonstrating Tree Lodi's commitment to equitable urban forestry.
DeBenedetti Park Tree Laboratory
Tree Lodi's most ambitious project: 213 trees of 26 species planted as a living outdoor laboratory to study climate-adapted varieties for the Central Valley's warming future.
California ReLeaf Annual Report Feature
The statewide ReLeaf network highlighted Tree Lodi's Shade Tree Program as a model of community-based urban forestry, noting the exceptional public response and innovative utility partnership.
Joyce Harmon Memorial Grove
Members past and present gathered to honor founder Joyce Harmon's 100th birthday by planting a memorial grove of trees in Henry Glaves Park — a living legacy of her vision.
Shade Tree Program Milestones
Over five seasons, Tree Lodi's partnership with Lodi Electric Utility has delivered 3,200+ free shade trees to residents — approximately 500 each year — with demand consistently exceeding supply.
Youth & Community Engagement
Tree Lodi has involved Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school groups, churches, and civic organizations in hands-on tree planting and stewardship, cultivating the next generation of urban forest advocates.
Join Us in Growing
Lodi's Urban Forest
Whether you plant a tree, volunteer your time, or simply water a sapling — every act of stewardship strengthens our community's green legacy.