The orchard trees along Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues may be a sight to see for many passersby, but tree enthusiasts will soon have a chance to own one or as many as they wish under the commission's Adopt-a-Tree program, which is designed to preserve one of the few remaining orchards in Saratoga.

Donors will not be able to pick their own fruits—apricots, cherries or prunes—but they will have their names engraved on a bronze plaque, which will be placed on a locally designed kiosk located near the new library. Phylis Ballingall, chairwoman of the Heritage Preservation Commission, said that the purpose of the program is to preserve what's left of Saratoga's history.

"The orchard is the heart of Saratoga. We need to keep it in the public's eye," she said.

The idea for the program was conceived in 2000, following talks about possibly turning the Heritage Orchard into an athletic field. Members of the commission and many residents protested the idea of turning the orchard into an athletic field. They started a movement called STOP—Saratoga Treasures Orchard Preservation—led by community members Jane and Matt Berrik. The issue of building the athletic field was eventually dropped, and the preservationists' wish was granted.

The details of the program, such as the cost of adopting each tree, are still being discussed. According to Ballingall, a price has not yet been determined because the commission does not have a separate fund to put money into. Without a separate fund, any money collected from the program would be put into the city's general fund, which means that the commission might or might not have access to it in the future.

To address the problem, city authorities are setting up a Saratoga Community Foundation (such foundations are common in other cities) and would give commissions access to the money they raise. For instance, the money collected from the Adopt-a-Tree program could be used for other Heritage Preservation Commission projects.

"The process can be quite lengthy," said Assistant City Manager Lorie Tinfow, who is assisting council members in the procedure.

Establishing a foundation involves a number of steps, including securing an executive director, finding members to serve on the board, setting up a list of bylaws, opening bank accounts and obtaining nonprofit status.

Despite the price uncertainty, four community members, including Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith and her husband, Rick, have already signed up for a tree.

Waltonsmith said she grew up picking fruits in the orchards and remembers when acres of fruit trees and agriculture occupied most of the lands during the 1950s. These orchards were gradually replaced by buildings.

"It was sad to see all the orchards go," Waltonsmith said. "I am a firm supporter of the historical orchard and will help in preserving the environment in any way I can."

Interested resident Marguerite McAfee said she wanted to adopt a tree as a gift to her children.

"It's important to teach kids about the community's heritage," McAfee said. "Adopting a tree would give my children something to look forward to in the future."

Other plans for the orchard, as stated in the Heritage Orchard Master Plan, include paving dirt pathways for pedestrians, installing a permanent irrigation system, providing a sign indicating the name of the orchard and building a barn-like structure in which to store maintenance equipment and hold educational programs.

For more information on adopting a tree, contact the planning division's staff planner, Lata Vasudevan, at 408.868.1235.