PRESS RELEASE - SF 2019 Signature Tree Honors Lawrence Ferlinghetti - 3/18/19

For immediate release: March 18, 2019

Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045

 

Olive tree planted in North Beach as living tribute to feted poet and publisher 

 

San Francisco, CA – San Francisco Public Works planted  the City’s annual signature tree today in honor of celebrated poet, publisher and activist Lawrence Ferlinghetti, as part of the San Francisco Arbor Day 2019 celebrations.

 

Ferlinghetti, who turns 100 years old this month, played a prominent role in the literary renaissance of the 1950s. He was named San Francisco’s first Poet Laureate in 1998, a role he served in for two years. He co-founded City Lights in 1953 and the North Beach bookstore quickly became a cultural hub for poets, painters and social activists. Two years later, he launched City Lights Publishers, providing a new platform for poets to share their work.

 

“Lawrence Ferlinghetti has been an inextricable piece of North Beach for generations,” said   District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin.  “His roots in the artist, café, activist and literary culture and community are deep and profound.  He’s a living legend who deserves to be honored with a signature tree that will be rooted in North Beach.”

 

Among those joining Peskin at the tree-planting ceremony, a festive affair held under sunny blue skies, were Lorenzo Ortona, Italy’s consul general in San Francisco; former Board of Supervisors President Angela Alioto; Alice Waters, the chef, restaurant owner and food activist; Ferlinghetti’s son, Lorenzo, who is an arborist; and Mauro Aprile Zanetti, Ferlinghetti’s longtime assistant. 

 

Zanetti said Ferlinghetti, an environmentalist, is happy that the City is planting a signature in his honor. “He likes the idea that it’s a breathing monument.”

 

The Lawrence Ferlinghetti signature tree is an olive tree, a symbol of peace and friendship. Planted in front of 576 Union St., across from Via Ferlinghetti, the signature tree is one of the 125,000-plus street trees in San Francisco under the stewardship of Public Works.

 

This marks the 14th year of Public Works’ signature tree program, which, during the annual Arbor Day season, honors civic, cultural, social and political leaders with a living tribute. 

 

“The tradition of planting trees to honor people who bring positive and transformative change to our communities is a wonderful way to celebrate their contributions,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “We are proud to honor Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s decades-long influence at the intersection of art and activism.” 

 

Past signature tree honorees include Dr. Espanola Jackson; Irene Crescio; the iconic Brown twin sisters, Marian and Vivian; Nelson Mandela; Sandra Cuadra; Wangari Maathai; Charlie Starbuck; Rosa Parks; Cesar Chavez; Ruth Asawa; Dr. Ellen Wolf; Dana Woldow, Rose Pak and Mayor Edwin Mah Lee.