Before the 20th century the area formed part of the Forest of Sharon. It was an open woodland dominated by Mount Tabor Oak, which extended from Kfar Yona in the north to Ra'anana in the south. The local Arab inhabitants traditionally used the area for pasture, firewood and intermittent cultivation. The intensification of settlement and agriculture in the coastal plain during the 19th century led to deforestation and subsequent environmental degradation.[2]
In 1945 the residents moved to Kfar Yedidia, and members of the Talmon organisation of Yemenite immigrants settled in the area. They changed the name to Talmon-Geulim, and later to just Geulim.