Engelmann Oak Trees seem so big and strong -- it's hard to imagine they need anyone to protect them. When Sam Knott's daughter Cara was tragically killed, he decided to plant an oak in her honor. Then he figured out a way to propagate the acorns of one of the world's rarest oaks, the Engelmann. From that grew Cara's Oaks, a foundation devoted to planting the endangered oaks throughout California, their native range. See how students at Olive Peirce Middle School in Ramona, California, USA, created a memorial grove of Engelmann oaks on their school grounds with Sam's help.

Excerpts from Class Project We the people of Olive Peirce took a big step. We started an Engelmann Oak Grove. Mr. Sam Knott is an Engelmann oak collector and keeper. He took his time to teach us about this special tree and was nice enough to donate six Engelmann Oak trees to plant at our school. We think that the Engelmann Oak is very special to our environment. Our environment needs more trees. There wouldn't be shade, there wouldn't be a place for birds to live in without trees. If only there would be more trees nothing would be endangered. The Engelmann Oak is a rare and endangered tree. If only people of our society would plant a tree it would help the environment. We have worked out a plan. Students have volunteered to be keepers, that means they have to water and keep an eye on the trees. We have a wire fence around these trees. This will be a big attraction to the visitors that come to our campus.

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