CARLSBAD — A weeklong celebration organized by the city kicked off April 19 at Hosp Grove.

As part of the city’s Arbor Week celebration, members of the community were invited to plant trees in the unique forest-like grove of eucalyptus located in the northern end of the city, near the Buena Vista Lagoon.

The city provided saplings of trees for the more than 200 volunteers who showed up early under overcast skies.

Shovels were also provided for the planting of the oak, sumac and California pepper trees.

Officials with the city’s Public Works department said they wanted to diversify the grove. Many of the eucalyptus trees have recently been infected with an Australian pest, which has left many trees in the grove dead or dying.

The grove started 100 years ago as a business by F.P. Hosp & Partners as a way to sell wood to the Santa Fe Railroad for railroad ties. However, when it became apparent that the wood was too brittle for railroad ties, the trees remained. In 1987, the 53-acre grove was acquired by the city.