Drew, as it happens I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. It is not a Corymbia at all, but Eucalyptus cladocalyx (sugar gum). Apparently it is common in California, but being native to South Australia, I've never seen one. I checked it with my expert friend Gus from Spain on Hardy Eucalyptus Board. The capsules are actually too narrow for C. maculata, even though they are the same general shape. Apparently the buds of sugar gum grow in clusters of 7 or more from a single point, which then becomes a peduncle as it grows out from the stem. The bark is also not a perfect match with C. maculata, being not as closely mottled. Here is a useful link:http://bp2.blogger.com/_3uQiDL3c53s/SJNAmFMNTRI/AAAAAAAAAzM/9qSdoNoarn4/s1600-h/GIT_Forestry_Eucalyptus_Identification_Sugar_Gum.jpg

One more vote for Ginkgo biloba. They are incredibly hardy (tolerant of drought, heat, cold, pH, and poor soil--though not of poor drainage), and are low-maintenance, very long-lived (many centuries), and quite stunning in appearance. This is a high-quality tree that should be planted more. They are indeed very slow to establish and may not grow much initially, but then most cultivars can put on a reasonable growth rate (maybe a foot per year) in good conditions. Cultivars that you might want to consider include 'Autumn Gold,' 'Saratoga,' and 'Magyar.' If you're looking for something more narrow, consider 'Princeton Sentry.'

About a year divided and moved a truckload of plants from our former Woodinville house to a new location just south of Seatac. Wow almost a half zone warmer here and 20+% less rain. Forest/Meadow Edge habitat changed to Meadow Edge/Prairie like habitat. More clay/loam/sand soil here rather than prior thin forest underlayed by old Puget Sound bottom sand. However, I do miss finding those intact sand dollars and clam shells! First thing dug a fish pond and staged plants around it. 15'x8.5'x3'. Honored Woodinville with a double wine barrel falls. Fish doing Great! Working to scare away a pesky raccoon. She's been messing with my Lotus side pond. Cedar Grove Compost has been my saviour in both yards. I did it a half dozen bags at a time over years in Woodinville. In new yard all at once via truckload(s). On my 2nd load of 20 cu yds now (btw 20 cu yards = 495 bags)! Below is what it looks like getting a delivery. Used an 80' tarp below and on top the pile to protect from rain. I've been installing root pits scaled to support adult plants to support especially hydrangea and other moisture requiring plants. Oh yes, True Temper's iron digging rod and home made rock screening saved me out here. Other methods don't work. Slow but effective. Hydrangea and Honeysuckle plant footings for one side of Gazebo. Hard to beat Canna 'Tropicanna' = Durban = Phason for a little drama. This was in a one gallon pot when I got it early that summer. A 4" pot start of hardy Basjoo banana made it to 4' in one summer/fall with offsets to make a little grove this next summer. A drama banana needs a drama backdrop. The Golden Vivax Bamboo 15'×5'x2' barrier zone with 3 clump starts now needs to catch up. We have 9 kinds of Bamboo pits, mostly timber types. As a pond backdrop a baby 5' Chilean Gunnera has been planted in an 8'x8'x4.5' bottom/side lined bog pit. The huge pit was installed for water supply. I left a ~12'x12' growing space for the current Gunnera-ette at 5' now. But GeeZ that big Gunnera that went down this winter at Pt Defiance Park's Japanese greeting house area, has me worried. G. tinctoria's smaller footprint and more angular dramatic leaf shape compated to G. manicata lured me in. However, I now fear I may need a bigger machete to keep her in bounds. Cedar Grove at 50% v/v may be my down fall this time. We have almost 80 different kinds of hydrangea including a huge aspera 'Sargentianum', Edgeworthia and many unique things to make a nice effect. All things were sorted for our micro light climates. 2 to 3' deep water supplies with those pits is extending where hydrangea can do well. Amazingly was able to plant them all through summer last year and not have them suffer from heat due to those pits. My wife's goal is a largely grass free yard, which works well with my plant lust. Also explains why I like taller plants. Don't be fooled the photo above was all staged as tub planter tests to pre-test light conditions and play with visual arrangements. As for freezing yard and plants ... glad it's almost over, so we can get back to garden installing. Want to see if some of the new warm color Echinacea and new Red Hot Pokers survive our wet cool winters here.

I think your best suggestion so far was the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo); it is native to Western Europe (Spain, Portugal, France, etc.. It is a broadleaf evergreen and does flower and produce edible fruit. Even is grown in Ireland (known for its chilly summer climate)! I fell in love with species just reading about it so had to order one (from Portugal) if only to grow it as a containerized plant. I am sure there are other choices out there but you have to research it a bit. P.S., Atlas Cedar?! Another tree species I do really LOVE..., but every block in my neighborhood in NJ has one (weeping, non-weeping,...). I think there are more growing in NJ than in their native Atlas Mountains of Morocco! LOL. PS2., Logan, there are chill tolerant palms ALL OVER SF, no big deal, and no need to feature it where center stage where space is limited. (BTW, I have a Windmill in my own yard.)