Less than a quarter-mile away from Laura Renninger’s Oak Harbor home is an oddly shaped oak tree that holds special meaning to her family.

For most who pass by where 6th Avenue meets Quaker Street, the tree holds few distinguishing features in an area shaded by many more towering Garry oaks, but not to the Renningers.

“When our children were tiny, we’d pull them around in a little red wagon,” Renninger said, reflecting back two decades ago. “When we’d get to that tree, we’d call it the ‘turn-around tree.’”

It was a symbol to head back home.

Renninger’s family still talks about that tree as well as the fate, well-being and future of other oaks once so prominent in Oak Harbor that they were carved into the city’s name.

Wanting to take an active role in ensuring the trees’ continued presence in her hometown, Laura Renninger  founded the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, which recently held its first meeting and is looking to recruit more members.

The group’s mission is to preserve Garry oak trees in Oak Harbor through outreach, education and stewardship.

Already, the group is collaborating with the City of Oak Harbor and the Whidbey Conservation District with a tree planting event at an Oak Harbor elementary school on April 22 in celebration of Arbor Day.

The group also is putting together a self-guided tour to showcase 21 “heritage” Garry oaks in the city, most of them on public land.

Members with the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society will start tying green ribbons on to those trees Monday, April 13, including tags that hold information identifying each tree’s significant features. The tags come down April 27.

The idea behind the tour is to pay tribute to the history of Oak Harbor and the people who have been Garry oak advocates.

A map of the tour will be available at the Oak Harbor Library, Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Oak Harbor Senior Center.

The group also is conducting an ongoing Garry oak count within the city.

“She seems like a real go-getter in getting things done,” said Peggy Darst Townsdin, who also is a group member.

It’s all about being proactive and focused on a common goal while continuing the efforts of others in the past who’ve been passionate about Garry oak preservation in the city, Renninger said.

“We had a significant Garry oak loss in the last century and we will continue to lose trees in this century,” she said.

The city’s removal of a landmark, 330-year-old Garry oak tree a year ago in front of the post office had little impact on the formation of the new group, Renninger said.

The plan is to look toward the future, partner with the city and groups such as the Oak Harbor Garden Club on re-planting efforts and educate youth about the importance of the iconic trees and their proper care.

The Pacific Rim Institute in Coupeville is another organization invested in Garry oak restoration efforts.

“I can see the day coming when there are no oak trees in Oak Harbor without making an effort to replant them,” said Oak Harbor’s Rick Chapman, who also has joined the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society.

Renninger, a registered nurse at Whidbey General Hospital, has been passionate about Garry oaks in her hometown since she was a child.

The interest has carried on to her children. Her son recently pointed out to her about the poor state of a large tree in their neighborhood, tangled in ivy, which motivated her to form the group.

She said that anybody who is interested in the future of Garry oaks still standing — and those yet to be planted — should consider getting involved with the group.

“Oak Harbor is more than the marine and mountain views,” Renninger said. “It’s the trees.”

For those interested in contacting Renninger about the group, she may be reached at preservegarryoak@yahoo.com