Oak or other native tree? Your experience.

18 years ago

Six years ago, we moved to a 1921 bungalow. I planted a Chinese Tallow tree, because it suited a small-ish garden, had fall foliage (for my husband) and the leaves seemed to have movement like an aspen.

Now, eww. It's growth pattern has been SO ugly. It's just an awful looking tree (should have known, I've been warned about fast growers). And it's even listed as a noxious grower in some California areas (and it's a weed in the Southeast).

So, now I want to take it out (seriously, it's hopeless) and plant a beautiful tree, hopefully native, hopefully available in a larger size. Would like it to eventually reach, oh 20-30 feet I guess. Your thoughts?

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Comments (10)

gardenguru1950
18 years ago
Good small to medium native trees:

Cupressus forbesii TECATE CYPRESS
Quercus tomentella ISLAND OAK
Aesculus californica CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE
Cupressus goveniana GOWENÂS CYPRESS
Fremontodendron californicum FLANNELBUSH
Garrya elliptica SILKTASSEL
Juniperus californica CALIFORNIA JUNIPER
Lyonothamnus floribundus asplenifolius SANTA CRUZ IRONWOOD
Pinus muricata BISHOP PINE
Prunus illicifolia lyonii CATALINA CHERRY

Yes, most of these trees MAY get beyond 30 feet tall. Probably not in your garden's lifetime, though.

More, "almost-native" trees to come.

Joe
sunnie
18 years ago
Redbud Tree.............beautiful with heart shaped leaves that come out in the Spring, first pink flowers all over then great foliage ! Doesn't get too tall, and it is deciduos.
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launate
18 years ago
How about Sambucus mexicana, the Blue Elderberry? Tolerates part shade but does best in full sun. Drought tolerant when established. Friendly to wildlife.

Aloha,

Nathan Lau
San Jose, CA

#include <std.disclaimer>
lusty
18 years ago
Nathan, you've possibly just identified the tree that I really hate in my back yard. On the one hand, it's an ok-looking tree and it definitely attracts a lot of birds with all the berries. But it drops huge drifts of crap all over the place, and I don't personally like the smell of the flowers when it's blooming. I'm seriously considering cutting this thing down.

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youreit
18 years ago
I agree with the suggestions for Cercis occidentalis (western redbud) and Aesculus californica (California buckeye)! Those 2 natives provide year-round interest (from leaves, to flowers, to beautifully silhouetted branches in winter). :)

Brenda
gardenguru1950
18 years ago
"ALMOST NATIVES" (= easy):

Agonis flexuosa PEPPERMINT WILLOW
Arbutus ÂMarinaÂ HYBRID STRAWBERRY TREE
x Chiranthofremontia lenzii MONKEY HAND FREMONTIA
Lagunaria patersonii AUSTRALIAN PRIMROSE TREE
Laurus ÂSaratogaÂ SARATOGA LAUREL
Metrosideros excelsus NEW ZEALAND CHRISTMAS TREE
Cercis siliquastrum (d) JUDAS TREE
Diospyros kaki (d) ASIAN PERSIMMON
Pistacia chinensis (d) CHINESE PISTACHE
Tristaniopsis laurina WATER GUM

Joe
nwest
18 years ago
Without trying to add confusion:

1. Sambucus mexicana is not exactly a pretty tree.

2. Aesculus californica is deciduous and naked most of the
year.

3. Redbud's are slow growers.

I would recommend a tall Ceanothus like Ray Hartman, easy and beatiful, slow the first year but will quickly reach 10 feet the second year(from a one gallon) and up to 20 to 25 the third year.

Or.

Toyon, pretty red berries in the fall, a fast grower to 6 to 8 feet (from on gallon) within the first year to year and half and eventually 15 to 20 feet high or larger.

My Toyon is often visited by birds and my Ceanothos has a couple hummingbirds in it every morning.
-Nate
ruby138
Original Author
18 years ago
Writing back in to thank you all very very much. I am printing this out and will post again when the new tree is in place. (By the way, if you could recommend a good tree nursery in Orange County, I would be grateful!! I've usually gone to Laguna Hills)
nwest
18 years ago
For Native Trees: Tree of Life nursery. www.treeoflifenursery.com (make sure you spell it correctly. Even if you didn't need a tree, its a nice drive out there and an interesting place to visit.
-Nate

Here is a link that might be useful: Tree of life.
arvind
18 years ago
Another point of view:

I love blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). It is tolerant of pruning, and can be shaped into a multitrunked specimen. Fast growing, water-tolerant and drought tolerant. I have had no problem with berries dropping; birds pick them clean before they fall. I love the cream sprays of flowers; that says California spring to me. The pale blue berries are also quite decorative. And edible in jams or pies.

I also love the buckeye (Aesculus californica). The lime green leaves and the candles of white flowers in spring, attracting butterflies from all over. In summer, the leaves turn bronze, adding color to the garden. Leafless, the silver trunks and branches look arresting. There is an absolutely magificent specimen in Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Oak or other native tree? Your experience.

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gardenguru1950

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Oak or other native tree? Your experience.

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