Redlands to begin replanting historic England Grove

REDLANDS, Calif. — Replanting will begin next month at the historic England Grove, where Meritage Homes is preparing to install 784 new Cara Cara orange trees and a water-efficient fan jet irrigation system ahead of transferring the land to the City of Redlands. A large sign now posted at the grove, located at the southeast corner of Palm and Alvarado avenues, outlines the city’s plan to preserve the site as part of its longstanding citrus operations.

The replanting marks the next phase of a $100,000 acquisition deal the City Council approved unanimously in January. The grove is one of the last remaining agricultural properties in the area and will be permanently protected under city ownership.

The existing trees are expected to be removed in mid-May, with irrigation installation occurring at the same time. Delivery and planting of the new trees is expected in mid-June, and escrow is anticipated to close by August, according to city spokesperson Carl Baker.

City officials said the grove will be incorporated into Redlands’ commercial citrus operations, which currently span 190 acres across 17 groves.

“The whole goal is to have these trees here for another 120, 130 years and producing,” said Michael Day, chair of the Citrus Preservation Commission, during public comments at the Jan. 21 meeting.

Meritage purchased the land in 2022 and placed it under permanent conservation with the intent to transfer ownership to a public agency. The city will pay for the grove using proceeds reserved for citrus preservation from its 2012 Palmetto Grove sale.

In addition to the land, Redlands will receive 15 shares of Redlands Water Company stock. Although difficult to appraise due to limited trading activity, officials said the shares are highly valuable for their ability to deliver water directly to city treatment plants.

"I have to think that the 15 water shares are worth a lot more than $100,000," said Council member Paul Barich noting his past experience on city council reviewing and selling shares. "So I think the city is getting a very good deal out of this."

City staff confirmed no new personnel will be needed to manage the England Grove, which will be farmed using the same commercial practices that have sustained the city’s citrus program without general fund support for more than a decade.

The city owns and manages 190+ acres of orange groves since the program began in 1968.