What you should know before planting a shade tree in your backyard.

A shade tree is a term gardeners use to describe any type of tree grown specifically for providing shade. Large tree species can establish themselves into wide-spreading canopies to provide some much-needed shade for your yard. This shade can help protect plants from extreme heat or even your home. The cooling effects of shade on your home could even help reduce temperatures and energy bills.

When you invest in planting a shade tree you’re investing in the future of your yard. Choosing the right shade tree is a long-term decision that will affect the state of your yard for years, maybe even decades to come. So choose wisely! It will have a drastic effect on the look and condition of your yard.

Like any shrub or bush you want to maintain, you’ll need to take good care of your shade tree if you want it to flourish. There are many things you’ll need to consider when planting your shade tree. Consider the positioning, soil, mulch, and maintenance. You’ll need to consider the local climate and a pruning schedule to maintain it. There are tree care services available that can help you with this maintenance.

Space and positioning

One of the first things you need to consider for a shade tree is how much space it will take up. How big will it grow? Visit your local nursery and the trees there should have labels with information on how it will grow and mature. Generally speaking, a young tree is likely to grow 2-3 metres a year before it slows down to maybe half a metre each year. A tree’s growth is also influenced by its access to water. So its growth is also determined by its overall health too.

You should also consider the root spread of a tree. A root spread is essentially the area in which a tree’s roots are likely to spread. A tree’s roots can spread up to 2-3 times the canopy radius. So if your tree’s canopy radius is already 3 metres, then it’s likely the roots have already spread out at least 9 metres from the stump of the tree! Don’t forget about the plants around your tree. You’ll have an extensive spread of tree roots sucking up all the water and nutrients from the soil.

Any tree care services provider will tell you that where you plant your shade tree in the yard affects which areas get sunlight. Plant your tree in the wrong spot and your veggie patch may never receive the sunlight it needs to thrive. Plant your tree next to your verandah and you may never experience that gorgeous view of sunrise while you sip on your morning coffee. Some trees are deciduous (leaves their leaves in winter). So you won’t get full shade all the time. A professional arborist can assess your yard and provide helpful advice on where to place your new shade tree.

Planting tips

After choosing where to plant your tree, it’s time to consider what it will look like. Do you want a shade tree with lovely flowers, beautiful foliage or one that’s prone to attracting birds? After choosing the tree species you want you can figure out the maintenance requirements for it. Different species have their own requirements for nourishment. Some don’t need as much water as others. Some need to grow in soil with good drainage. Ask any tree care services provider and they’ll tell you that all shade tree species have their own unique maintenance needs.

When you first plant your tree it’s likely going to be young and not very established. During this time you’ll need to provide water directly on the stump and the area around it. So allow your hose to trickle water over the base of the tree for an extended period of time whenever you water it. When your new tree has established it will have enough new roots start growing vigorously. Consider placing a soaker hose around the perimeter of the tree canopy. This will encourage the roots to spread outwards and establish a stronger foundation for the tree.

Your tree will continue to thrive if it’s growing in moist soil. Adding layers of bark, mulch, and even compost to an area between the trunk and perimeter of the branch canopy will provide optimum growing conditions for the tree. Mulching will help eliminate weeds and keep the soil underneath the tree moist. For your layers of mulch try not to go too thick. Large and thick layers of mulch can limit soil aeration in heavy ground and cause roots to

Ongoing maintenance & care tips

Mulching and watering aren’t the only things you need to consider when taking care of your tree. As your tree starts to mature you’ll discover lots of other things you can do to maintain it properly. It’s important to establish the shape of your tree early on before it fully matures. The best species of shade trees usually have a wide-spreading, umbrella-shaped canopy which effectively blocks sunlight. If this is the shape you want then regular pruning can help guide it.

Consider the tree care services of a professional arborist (tree care specialist) to look after the pruning and shaping of your tree. They can help you establish a yearly pruning schedule to ensure your tree keeps growing in that desirable canopy shape you want. Branches should grow out from the tree just above head level. That way you can easily stand and walk underneath it. Pruning the lower branches of your tree will help ‘train’ it to grow and spread its canopy at the right height.

Sometimes it’s better to uproot and destroy a tree rather than save it. So it’s important you know the signs to look out for when your tree starts becoming unhealthy. A tree can become sick for many reasons such as lack of watering, poor soil quality, or poor access to sunlight. Faded leaves can show a lack of nutrients. Damaged limbs or tree trunks could also be a sign your tree is not in the best of health. An infestation of insects could also be a sign that your tree is unhealthy or dying. Another tell-tale sign is bleeding sap. When a tree loses sap it’s also losing vital nutrients. It can be a sign that your tree has a disease, fungus, or other critical health problem.

Ask a professional arborist

Arborists are professionals trained in the art of planting and caring for trees. So if you’re still stumped for advice consider the services of a local arborist like Daryl’s Tree Care and Surgery. The tree care experts there offer a range of services to help maintain and look after your shade tree. As certified arborists, they can assist with tree selection and planting to get you started. When it comes to ongoing maintenance they can also assist with trimming and pest control.

If your shade tree is starting to look a little worse for wear, it may be time for a replacement. The arborists at Daryl’s Tree Care can also assist with tree and stump removal services. Depending on the size of your dyeing tree, you may have to request a stump grinding or stump removal service. Daryl’s Tree Care can assess the condition of your shade tree and recommend the right solution for your particular yard.

So when you decide to plant a shade tree in your backyard, there’s a lot to think about. Not all shade trees are easy to maintain. Like anything worthwhile, they need the right care and maintenance to yield great results for your garden. So don’t be afraid to ask for advice from a professional arborist when it’s time to pick a shade tree.

Get the right advice before you plant a shade tree. Ask Daryl’s Tree Care & Surgery today.

The post Tree care services and tips for shade trees appeared first on Daryl's Tree Care And Surgery.

During the Covid 19 crisis, there are at least two concerns that will potentially impact your plans for tree and stump removal or stump removal. These include the availability of tree care services to take on the task and potential air pollution that may be caused if the work is executed. Before we go into the details of these concerns, you should know that the scientific community has so far not established any clear-cut relationship between air quality and spread of the virus.  However, the population in regions experiencing poor air quality have been seen to be more susceptible to infection compared to others. A pointer from the experts suggests that the spread of the virus may be aided by particulate matter suspended in the air.

Irrespective of whether you are attempting a stump removal or tree and stump removal, it is likely that you will need specialized equipment and perhaps even additional manpower, assuming you are embarking on the DIY route. Unless you are someone in a related profession and can easily access the additional resources without breaking the law with regard to the Covid 19 situation, you are better off putting off the activity until things regain normalcy. The concerns from a dead or dying tree or a stump that is waiting to be removed are significantly less when compared to the potential hazards you may encounter during a pandemic. Admittedly, many cities and towns are eerily empty and blue skies keep them bathed. Obviously, the pandemic will end one day and life must go on. The primary responsibility, therefore, is to protect ourselves and our dear ones. Another option before you is to talk to reputed tree care services and seek their views on going ahead with stump grinding.

Life after Covid 19

Life after Covid may not be the same and many things are expected to change and some of them even dramatically. We may be more concerned about personal and domestic hygiene, our children may be taught new ways of expressing love, respect and appreciation without physical contact. We may even be more concerned about fellow human beings, animals and other life forms. As of now, the world is still struggling with the pandemic and it is too early to predict what the future beholds for us.

The impact of Australian forest fires

Australians, in particular, should remember that forest fires fuelled by our climate have particularly contributed to air pollution compromising the quality of the air we breathe. Notably, the air quality was particularly poor for years in Wuhan, China, where the pandemic initially surfaced. This should be worrying for communities and individuals with compromised respiratory systems. However, the scientific community has not yet established any specific correlation between Covid 19 infection and air pollution level, though some studies in Italy and Harvard University have found such a correlation.

Physical fitness

As most of us do know, tree and stump removal are physically demanding tasks. As with many such tasks, if you take the DIY route with this task, your energies can be significantly drained when you complete the job and this can potentially impact your immunity level. Lower immunity, in turn, exposes you to the risk of getting affected by the Covid 19 virus quicker than when you had enjoyed better immunity before undertaking this task.

Some services may still be open

Disregarding all the above, if you still feel that a tree and stump removal or stump removal is bothering you to an extent where the Covid 19 situation itself takes a backseat, you must check out professional services in your neighbourhood. Although many regions are under lockdown, some wholly and some partially, there may be some competent tree care services still available and willing to help you with your predicament. In the least, a qualified person can come and inspect your yard to determine whether the stump/tree can be safely removed or whether you should wait for the pandemic scare to go away. You can also contact us on the phone or through email if you are experiencing specific problems.

Conclusion

Covid 19 has crippled life and brought the global economic activity to a standstill. The pandemic has claimed thousands of lives across the globe and many more are struggling to come out of the affliction.  Being conscious of your own individual circumstances and ensuring the safety and health of your loved ones should always be the priority.  Past generations have not experienced a similar situation and all of us hope and pray that the pandemic vanishes soon from this earth.

The post Tree Stump Removal Tips during COVID-19 Crisis appeared first on Daryl’s Tree Care And Surgery.

When Is the Right Time to Remove A Tree?

What if you had a ticking time bomb in your garden?

That is what it can feel like when deciding to remove a tree. Few homeowners know the right time to remove potentially dangerous or unwanted trees. if you wait too long, or go about removing it the wrong way, you can cause some serious damage.

So, when is the right time to remove a tree, and what is the safest way to do so?

Continue reading to discover the answers!

Threats: When to Remove a Tree Right Away

Many different factors determine when you should remove a tree. But it is arguably most important to know when you must remove unwanted trees ASAP.

Generally speaking, you should have trees removed right away if you can see that it has any upheaving roots. It is always important to remove trees that are leaning because if they should fall, this may pose a significant risk to your home.

And even if it does not look like it could hit your home, beware of trees that might pose a risk to other structures (like storage sheds or even your neighbour’s home). If the tree looks like a threat, it must be removed right away.

Remove a Tree That is Infected

We have established that you need to remove trees right away that pose a real threat. But that threat is not always as obvious as a leaning tree. Sometimes, the threat comes in the form of infection.

If you notice that a tree has some kind of infection or disease, it is important to remove it right away. Why? Because left unchecked, the afflicted tree might spread infection or disease to other trees.

The trick is to recognize these infections and diseases before it is too late. If you cannot spot something like oak wilt or emerald ash borer, then the damage may be done before you realize the tree needs to be removed.

The Best Season to Remove a Tree

We have covered the situations where you need to have a tree removed ASAP. But if the tree you want to remove isn’t diseased, infected, or posing a risk to a building, then when do you need to take it down?

If you do not mind waiting, it is generally best to remove trees during a dormant season. This is the period between late winter and early spring, and it is easier to remove trees during this time.

Why? At this point, the tree will have shed its leaves and will be much lighter and easier to move. We still recommend that you hire a professional (more on this in a bit) but removing trees during the dormant season makes the whole process easier and more efficient.

Busting a Seasonal Myth

Some homeowners are shy about hiring tree surgeons or other professionals because they want to save a bit of money. And that brings us to another major question: is there a time of year that it is always cheaper to have trees removed?

Despite popular belief, the honest answer to this question is “not really.” Typically, professionals charge you based on many factors that have little to do with the season or time of year. This includes things like the type of tree, the size of the tree, and the tree’s location.

If I wait until the dormant season will it speed up the process? Probably. But it is not necessarily going to be much (if at all) cheaper to remove a tree during winter than during summer.

Alternatives to Removing a Tree

If you are reading this, then you have got removing a tree on your mind. But it is important to figure out whether you need to remove the entire tree or simply prune it.

For example, you may want to remove a tree because unwanted branches are now hanging down and scraping your car in the driveway. But professional pruning can take care of the tree branch while still leaving the tree standing.

It is possible to do some light pruning work on your own. However, aggressive pruning can cause damage to the tree. For best results, we recommend hiring a professional tree surgeon.

You can have a tree pruned most times during the year. But you should try to avoid any pruning of a tree right after its spring growth period because this causes stress and damage to the tree.

Truly Delicate Work

When we talk about pruning a tree, you might think that this is easy and simple work. However, the entire process is more complex and more delicate than you might have previously imagined.

First, you need to have the right tools. Many homeowners do not already own proper tree-pruning tools. And if you use the wrong tools, you might end up damaging the tree.

Second, you need to understand the important differences between the trees. Some types of trees (like conifers) will need almost no pruning while others will need constant care throughout the year.

Finally, you need to understand the way different trees react to pruning and the risks this may pose. Some trees bleed sap during pruning, and this poses a potential risk of infection to the pruner as well as the tree.

Why Hire a Tree Surgeon?

We have mentioned the need to hire tree surgeons for things like pruning and tree removal. But what is it that makes hiring a tree surgeon worth it?

Such surgeons already have all of the tools and equipment they will need. By hiring their services, you save money on buying many tools of your own. And you do not have to worry about storing those tools all year round.

Tree surgeons also have the experience to do the job quickly and efficiently. And they know enough about local laws and ordinances to remove your tree in a way that does not put anyone in legal danger.

Finally, tree surgeons understand tree health. They know how to prune trees without harming them and how to remove diseased trees without endangering other trees.

Your Next Move

Now you know when to remove a tree. But do you know who can help you do it?

We specialize in tree pruning, tree removal, tree lighting, and so much more. To see what we can do about your trees, come request a free quote today!

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/remove-a-tree/

Tree Surgery Waste & Its Use for Biomass Fuel

We are living in an ever-changing environment – even if the change is slow. There are various reasons behind the changes – both man-made and natural – and these are making changes that are hard for the environment to deal with.

The major issues are pollution and climate change. While many (including scientists) cannot agree with the reasons behind climate change, it is evident that we are facing a huge global challenge.

What Is Tree Surgery Waste?

Tree work waste generally belongs to one of three categories:

• Timber
• Wood chip
• Non-chippable waste (e.g., minor pruning, hedge trimmings, sweepings from the ground).

How Can Tree Surgeons Help?

Tree surgeons can adjust their practices to adopt which are more environmentally friendly. One of the ways they can do this is by turning the ‘green waste’ they produce into fuel.

How Can Green Waste Be Fuel?

For trees to grow, they use carbon dioxide (CO₂). Carbon gets used in the tree’s structure during growth. It is locked up into the molecules that build the tissues of the plant, for example in cellulose. When the tree reaches felling age and becomes fuel, it re-releases its CO₂ collected over the years into the atmosphere. This is then re-used again by other growing trees.

When fuel is from a sustainable source like wood, it is great for the production of something called biomass. This means that branches and logs are reduced to chippings, which are then used by power stations to generate electricity. Biomass is both clean and sustainable.

Of course, the whole process needs to have a low carbon footprint, otherwise, the whole process will be a waste of time. This means that the processes of felling, extracting, chipping, and transporting to end-users need to have low carbon footprints.

How Is Green Waste Turned into Chips?

This is a really simple process. Wood chips for power stations and small boilers must be a consistent size. The sizes can vary between 30 mm and 50 mm per chip. When burning wood chips in boilers, we also need to be mindful of the chips’ moisture content. For the boilers to be as efficient as possible, the wood chips must have a moisture content below 30%. To ‘dry out’ the wood, it is stacked up so that there is sufficient aeration.

How Does Chipping Happen?

A woodchipper or tree chipper reduces the wood to small chips. Chippers are usually portable and are mounted on frames with wheels that can be towed. Generally speaking, the power is provided by an internal-combustion engine. Usually these are between 3 and 1000 horsepower or 2.2 kW to 750 kW. Higher power chippers can be mounted on a truck with a separate engine. These usually have hydraulic cranes too.

A wood chipper usually consists of a collared hopper, a chipper mechanism and sometimes a chip collection bin. The collar helps keep unwanted items (like body parts!) away from the blades of the chipper. A tree branch is put into the hopper, goes through the chipping mechanism and the chips come out of a chute. The chips can be directed onto the floor or into a container or truck.

How Else Can Woodchips Be Used?

Aside from fuelling boilers and power stations, woodchips can be used to produce mulch for paths or gardens. For woodchips to be converted into mulch, they will be stored for a few months so that they compost. If you spread fresh mulch on gardens, it could have adverse effects on any plants growing there. This is because the bacteria that break the wood down uses nitrogen, which means this will be stripped from the soil. Allowing the wood chippings to compost before they are used to avoid this happening.

What About the Non-chippable Waste That Tree Surgery Produces?

Trimming hedges creates a huge amount of material that cannot be processed by chippers. Also, any materials that are swept up or raked can’t be chipped either because it will be contaminated with grit and soil, which can cause damage to the chipper blades. It is possible to shred non-chippable waste and this can also be used at some power stations as a biomass fuel.

What Further Work Can Tree Surgeons Do to Have a Positive Impact on The Environment?

As mentioned above, it is as important to have a low carbon footprint. Tree surgeons can process things in bulk to save energy and journeys. They can also look to sell the waste products like woodchip and mulch locally so that the carbon footprint is reduced in this way too.

What Does the Law Say with Regards to Tree Waste?

The law is quite strict regarding tree waste. In England and Wales, tree surgeons must register as a waste carrier (different rules apply to Northern Ireland and Scotland).

This rule applies if tree surgeons do any of the following:

• transport their waste.
• dispose of or transport waste for another person.
• sell or buy waste.
• act as a broker for waste (arranging someone else to handle a person’s waste).

People who do not register can be fined up to £5000.

There are also different tiers of registration too. For example, a garden landscaper or tree surgeon who is carrying green shrubs or waste they have removed is classed as being in the lower tier while carrying away construction materials would be classed as being in the upper tier.

There are exceptions, however, with mulch for example. You are allowed to store and use up to 100 tons of mulch each month. You can also store or treat up to 500 tons of waste plant matter or wood every 7 days and can keep it for 3 months. There are other exemptions too.

Tree Surgery Waste – Final Thoughts

It is great to see that so many solutions are now available for tree surgery waste. Whether chipped for biomass fuel or used as mulch, tree surgery these days can help the environment. As long as tree surgeons abide by the laws and try to keep the whole process as carbon neutral as possible, there is no reason to worry about the environmental impact of the wastes they produce.

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/tree-surgery-waste/

Stump Grinding: The Process and Benefits

Trees, along with hedges, ornamentals, and flowerbeds, make up about 18% of an average American yard. However, despite their beauty, trees do eventually naturally need to be removed every once in a while, for the safety of your home and family. This process leaves stumps around your yard that you think may not be removable, but this is not the case at all.

Tree stump grinding is a simple process that can make your yard a much more up-to-date space and remove the eyesores that are old stumps. Here, we are going to talk about what grinding is and what the process entails, so read on to learn why this process is essential for every homeowner.

What Is Tree Stump Grinding?

Tree stump grinding is the process of sanding down the stump of a tree until it no longer protrudes from the ground. This leaves a sawdust-like residue in its place but does not remove the root of the tree belowground. Its purpose is to eliminate the visual part of the stump rather than digging up the roots of the tree altogether.

The residue left behind from grinding eventually simply becomes one with the soil. This is environmentally efficient because it provides nutrition to other plants in the area. It also levels the ground out in the area where the tree once was. When you plant grass or flowers on top of this location, it will seamlessly blend in with the rest of the yard as though a tree never was there.

This process is an alternative to a full tree stump removal, which necessitates the use of extreme force to pull out the stump’s roots up from underground. Grinding is a much neater and cleaner process and uses more efficient tools and processes to eliminate the stump. This makes it less expensive for the homeowner and therefore superior in many different ways.

How Does the Process Work?

We have touched on the efficiency of the tree stump grinding process, but what exactly does stump grinding entail?

Professionals have a tool that is aptly named a ‘stump grinder.’ This tool chews away at the wood of your stump with a rotating blade. This blade is incredibly powerful and rips into the wood as it turns at top speed. The result is that tiny pieces of sawdust and mulch take the place of where the stump once was.

These stump grinders usually are handheld and therefore grinding is a precise process. The person operating it will move the blade in layers over the stump until it is ground down to below the level of the dirt. This process necessitates many safety precautions such as the wearing of goggles and other safety equipment.

In addition to handheld stump grinders, larger stumps may use those that can be attached to a truck or trailer. Rear-hitch grinders will generally not be used on residential property, nor will riding grinders that work like tractors. These are generally saved for larger applications where there are many stumps to be ground in woods or forests. You do not need to worry about these tools.

Can You DIY the Grinding Process?

While this may sound simple, it is unlikely that you have the appropriate tools to complete the process properly. You will have a terrible time getting expensively rented tools onto the site of the stump. Additionally, unless you are a trained expert in tree stump grinding, you are likely to injure yourself trying to sand it down.

Therefore, professional grinding is essential to those who need this process to be completed in their yard. This is significantly less expensive and infinitely safer than trying to do it yourself. Tree stump grinding is a serious DIY do not, so be sure that you invest in services that can get the job done appropriately.

What Are the Benefits?

There is a multitude of benefits to stump grinding, primarily that it removes an eyesore from your property. While trees make a beautiful addition to yards and gardens, stumps are ugly and take up space that can be used for other things. Eliminating these stumps through the process of grinding makes your yard look pleasing again and raises your property value.

You can also use the space created by eliminating your stump to make your yard your own. It frees up room so that you can plant a flower bed or a vegetable garden. Maintaining a garden is a fun hobby that comes with a plethora of health benefits, and eliminating your stump is the first step towards being able to garden more often.

Finally, grinding down tree stumps makes your yard a safer space for yourself and your family. Children and pets may hurt themselves by tripping over stumps in the yard while playing. They also may get splinters if they decide to play with the stump and run their fingers over it.

You may also injure yourself with the stump if you are not careful. They are a hazard when mowing your lawn and tripping over it could cause a trip to the hospital with a mower-related injury. Even if things do not go this far, they make mowing and other outdoor chores harder and more frustrating.

Get Started

Now that you know how tree stump grinding works and why it is important, it is time to begin making your property safer and more aesthetically pleasing. Contact us with any remaining questions that you may have about professional tree surgery services and how you can get our experts to your home.

We are excited to help your yard flourish and thrive in every possible way, so do not hesitate to reach out at any time.

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/stump-grinding/

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.treesofstrength.org/?p=1238

The post WHAT TO AVOID IN HIRING A TREE TRIMMER first appeared on San Diego Tree Trimmers – LC Tree Service.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.treesofstrength.org/?p=1233

1

JACARANDA

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Jacarandas are one of San Diego’s most spectacular flowering trees. In late spring into the summer months, it’s hard to go a day driving through town without seeing at least one jacaranda and its popular lavender, bell-shaped blooms. These flowers grace us with their presence for two months before falling and creating a carpet of color on the ground beneath.

When not in bloom, the jacaranda is still one of San Diego’s finest-looking ornamental trees. Once established, it’s a fast-growing tree that develops a bright green canopy of fern leaves against the tree’s grayish-brown limbs. It grows fast, but its size at full maturity is quite manageable because it typically only grows to roughly 25 to 40 feet in height, with similar dimensions in canopy spread. The jacaranda is also a popular choice with urban planners due to its “pavement friendly” roots, which, unlike some other common trees like the ficus benjamina, is less likely to damage sidewalks and streets.

There are many wonderful features associated with the jacaranda, but even this beauty can’t be perfect in all aspects. Unfortunately, the jacaranda is a deciduous tree, which means that it loses its foliage every year. So for the winter months, you’re left with an arrangement of bending grey wood in your outdoor space. But hey…neutral colors are all the rage…so apparently it works. As the weather begins to warm up, the tree’s foliage slowly fills the canopy with yellowish-green leaves. It looks sparse and a little sickly, depending on the tree. Not very appealing, to say it nicely — but when the warmest and sunniest season arrives, the jacaranda’s beauty shines once again with its lush green canopy, followed by its magnificent purple blooms.

Purple, bell-shaped flowers

Greyish-brown trunk + limbs

Blooms in spring and summer

Grows to 25-40 feet in height

Pavement-friendly

Fern-like foliage

2

MAGNOLIA

Magnolia grandiflora

The magnolia tree is a very well-known name in the flowering tree category. For all you home decorators, think Joanna Gaines and her popular Magnolia Homes company. But what many do not know is that it is also the most ancient flowering plant that we know of according to fossil records. Surviving through ancient history, there are more than 200 magnolia species that originated mostly in Asia and in the Americas. They are common trees throughout the world, especially in sub-tropical and tropical regions, and are known for their stunning flower display with pink, purple, white, and even yellow blooms.

The most common magnolia in Southern California is the Southern magnolia. It possesses large evergreen leaves that exhibit a deep green color and a unique brownish touch. Then in the late spring and into the summer, the Southern magnolia unveils its beautiful, large, white flowers that contrast so well against its green foliage backdrop. When we say large, we mean large, as the oval-shaped leaves typically range from 5-8 inches in length, and its fragrant flowers possess an 8-inch diameter range.

Compared to the other popular flowering trees on this list, the Southern magnolia is a rather slow-growing tree and is known to take up to 10 years after planting to even blossom. So patience is required! But it won’t stay little forever. It typically matures to a height of 60-80 feet with a canopy spread of roughly 40 feet, and in its most ideal conditions, it even grows taller than 80 feet!

When it comes to trimming a magnolia tree, great news! They don’t require much. But the bad news is that these trees are FINICKY! Trim your tree at the wrong time of the year, and you can kiss the next year’s beautiful flower display goodbye. Even worse, given the right candidate, you could end up killing your tree. Magnolias, especially mature ones, tend to have a hard time recovering from injuries. The best time to trim them is right after its flowering season so that it has sufficient time to heal before winter. Otherwise, trimming a magnolia during the wrong season can result in excessive bleeding, which could weaken the tree and leave it vulnerable.

Large, white flowers

Blooms in spring and summer

Large, deep green leaves with brown bottoms

Very sensitive to prunings

Grows to 60-80 feet in height

Oldest known flowering plant

3

TIPUANA TIPU

Tipuana tipu

Native to South America, the Tipuana tipu, or tipu for short, is one of San Diego’s most popular trees. When not in bloom, it can often be mistaken for the jacaranda, since the two have very similar structures and fern-like foliage. Even arborists, at a distance, may need a moment to determine who’s who. However, once its sunny yellow flowers emerge in the spring and into the summer, there’s no mistaking the two trees.

With its roots in a tropical homeland, the tipu thrives in areas with plenty of warm sunlight, so make sure to plant it in a location with full sun. It loves the heat and can handle San Diego’s hot and dry summers extremely well. This is why it is also a popular choice for desert communities.

The tipu is a choice selection for properties and urban development throughout San Diego due to its rapid growth, pavement-friendly roots, drought resistance, and flowery display. It’s perfect for all you impatient folks who don’t want to wait 10 years for their newly-planted young tree to provide ample shade and a majestic presentation. And even better, if you’re not interested in a huge tree, the tipu is a great choice, as they are medium-sized trees that are usually seen in the 30-50ft range with a wide canopy spread that matches its height.

The Tipuana tipu is a fast-growing tree that typically grows 2-3 feet a year! A young tree has the potential to quickly develop a canopy width of 20 feet just a few years after being transplanted. Due to this rapid growth, it’s important to keep your tipu on a regular trimming schedule. Otherwise, the tree ends up looking like an unkempt child with neverending bedhead. But when properly trimmed, the tipu has the potential of looking amazing — whether it’s covered with yellow blooms or not!

Yellow flowers that bloom in spring + summer

Rapid-growing, growing 2-3 feet a year

Extremely heat- and drought-resistant

Typically grows to 30-50 feet

Pavement-friendly

Fern-like foliage

4

PALO VERDE

Parkinsonia florida, Parkinsonia microphylla, Cerdium ‘ Desert Museum’

The palo verde is another common yellow-blooming tree in San Diego. The name in Spanish means green stick because, as you can guess, it possesses limbs that are green! It’s a unique sight, especially with its yellow blooms that complement the green so well. As the palo verde matures, its trunk and mature branches eventually turn brown, but any new limbs grow out green. Why green? The bark of the palo verde is uncommonly filled with chlorophyll, which allows it to participate in photosynthesis — a job that is normally assigned to the leaves. But for this green wonder, its foliage only contributes one-third of the tree’s food.

Even with its unconventional green limbs and showy flowers that allure people, the palo verde is still one of those trees that you either love or hate. It’s actually a tree that tree trimmers can’t stand! Why? Because these trees are notorious for pain! Yes, their green branches are awesome to look at, but with close examination, you’ll realize that they’re covered with sharp spikes. It’s a desert tree, and it seems to have copied the same spiky qualities of its desert best friend (the cactus, of course). It’s like middle school cliques dressing the same. “Make sure to wear your spikes on Friday!”

As with any tree, one of the palo verde’s goals is reproduction. No harm there. However, this tree is like the “rabbit of the tree world.” Palos love to procreate, and they’re good at it. If left unmanaged, a single tree on a property can multiply into a grove of more than 20 palo verdes in less than 10 years. Also, the tree’s cute and innocent-looking babies don’t go without a fight. Remember those spikes? If you simply go in to pull a baby palo out with bare hands, chances are you’ll get stabbed. It is best to carefully pull at the base where spikes tend to not grow or to use pliers.

Yellow flowers that bloom in spring + summer

Young limbs and trunk are green

Desert tree with low water needs

Medium-sized tree that grows up to 30 feet

Pavement friendly

Branches are covered in spikes

5

EVERGREEN PEAR

Pyrus kawakamii

Native to Taiwan, the evergreen pear is one of San Diego’s standout trees. Is it because it produces a vibrant colorful display of flowers like other trees on this list? No. Does it have delectable juicy pears to eat? No, again. So what’s so special about the evergreen pear? While this tree doesn’t boast of colorful springtime blooms or delicious fruit to eat, it “sticks out of the crowd” due to its distinct flowering season. In the winter, when other trees, like the jacaranda and palo verde, are plain and bare, the evergreen pear showcases its large clusters of white blossoms. It’s a wintry display that’s very appropriate to the season. We may not get snow in the streets of Downtown San Diego or our famous Balboa Park, but we get snow-white laden trees!

The evergreen pear, despite what the name implies, is not an evergreen. It is called an evergreen tree because it has a very short dormant period, causing some people to label it semi-deciduous. In the fall, its foliage morphs to an orangish-red, which drops shortly afterward. Fortunately, it only stays bare for a short period because soon afterward, its canopy becomes engulfed in showy white blooms through the rest of the cold winter season. Then at the end of winter or stretching into spring, the flowers fall to the ground and create a lovely frosty carpet.

The evergreen pear tree — despite its name — does not produce sweet pears for people to eat. Instead, it grows little, brown, inedible fruit that can create a messy nuisance during drop season.

So to sum it up — the evergreen pear is not an evergreen tree, and it doesn’t produce edible pears. Evergreen pear. Just a bit of a misnomer…just a tad.

White flower clusters

Produces inedible fruit

Blooms in winter into early spring

Grows to 15-30 feet in height

Short dormant period

Glossy, green, oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips

6

CRAPE MYRTLE

Lagerstroemia

The crape myrtle tree, also spelled crepe mrytle, is one of San Diego’s most beautiful flowering trees. It’s a dainty little thing that can be found in different varieties with differing height potentials. It ranges from the “very dwarf” varieties that only mature to a range of 1-3 feet to the regular-sized crape myrtles that “soar” to 20 feet. Then there are the varieties in between — dwarfs, semidwarfs, and small. Crape myrtle trees possess colorful flower clusters available in red, pink, lavender, purple, or white. These fragrant flowers grow in puffy clusters that end up dominating the tree’s canopy in the summer and create beautiful displays in San Diego’s landscape.

The crape mystle’s origins take root in China, where it was named “Pai Jih Hung” — meaning hundred days red. Why? Because the crape myrtle has an amazingly long flowering season that lasts 3-4 months! Quite impressive when you consider that the jacaranda tree’s bloom season lasts 2 months, and the magnolia’s flowers appear for a whopping 7-9 days! While the tree was originally named after its long bloom season, here in the United States, it derived its name from the crinkly appearance of its flowers, which resemble crepe paper.

Aside from its stunning display, the crape myrtle has other features that make it a great tree to add to your property. It is unfazed by the hot summer days and drought conditions. But make sure not to test your crape myrtles heat and drought endurance until its roots are well-established. This tree loves the sun, so also make sure to plant it in an area that receives plenty of sunshine. Otherwise, you may have to miss out on its colorful blooms, as it may not produce flowers if it doesn’t receive enough direct sunlight.

Pink, red, lavender, purple, and white flowers

Long bloom season that last 3-4 months

Blooms in summer through the fall

Small tree that comes in a variety of sizes

High-heat and drought resistant

Prefers full sun

7

CORAL TREE

Erythrina

This next tree shares a striking resemblance to ocean corals. We’re talking about the coral tree, of course — a common and fitting sight for beach-loving San Diego. With roughly 130 species of coral trees (Erythrina), this is a popular tree, not just in California, but in temperate, subtropical, and tropical zones worldwide. It even happens to be the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay.

While many coral trees love the tropical heat (as you can see from their places of origin), quite a few do well in San Diego’s semi-arid climate. About a dozen Erythrina species call San Diego home. These include the naked coral from Mexico, the coastal coral and Tambookie thorn coral from Africa, and the Erythrina x sykesii from Australia. And as heat-loving trees, you might have guessed that coral trees require full-sun exposure to thrive, so make sure to plant accordingly, and don’t worry when it gets over 100° outside. Your coral tree is in “sunshine buffet heaven.”

Our local coral trees are distinguishable by their long, thick secondary branches that stem from a SHORT trunk. Some trunks are so short that they seem to barely rise up out of the ground. But just because it posses a short trunk, it doesn’t mean that the rest of the tree stays short, as it has an average height of 20-40 feet and a wide canopy width of 40-60 feet.

When the tree’s branches start at a low point, it looks like the perfect climbing tree for children. But it’s actually deceiving because the coral tree is notorious in the tree service industry for its susceptibility to breakage and tree failure. This is due to its brittle wood, poor structure, and tendency to form included bark, which is basically a weak junction between two limbs that is prone to splitting given the right amount of pressure. So the coral tree is definitely not the tree you would want to build a treehouse in or hang a swing on. Not to mention, some species also have thorns protruding from their trunk and stems.

Now to the flowers. The coral tree’s blooms are in a class of their own. With their fiery-red color and finger-like appearance, the name Erythrina actually stems from the Greek word for red — erythros. Most Erythrina species develop large, red flowers, but some also display deep orange blooms. When most flowering trees in San Diego flaunt white, yellow, or soft hues of pink or purple, the coral tree’s brilliant red makes this tree’s flower presentation an exotic attention-grabber. You can also see its blooms earlier than other trees due to the coral tree’s tendency to display its flowers in the early spring, as opposed to late spring, like most of the other flowering trees in San Diego.

Large red or deep orange flowers

Short trunk + brittle wood

Blooms in early spring

Grows to 20-40 feet in height with wide canopy

Thrives in heat and full sun

Some species have thorns on trunk and limbs

8

WESTERN REDBUD

Cercis occidentalis

Some flowering trees, such as the magnolia and mimosa trees, still retain a good portion of their foliage during bloom season. Other trees become immersed in blooms. The Western redbud is one of those trees. In the spring, hordes of purplish-pink flowers sprout all along the tree’s limbs which last for 2-3 weeks.

There are over 10 redbud species throughout the world, but only two are native to North America. As you may have already guessed, the Western redbud originates from the American Southwest — more specifically from southern Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California. In fact, it has even been named the California redbud, as it’s a native tree that you can find in canyon bottoms, creeks, and other areas with moister soil in California.

Growing to a height of only 10-20 feet and 10-15 feet wide, the Western or California (whichever name floats your boat) redbud is a great choice for anyone desiring a small tree with pastel-colored blooms. This truly is a springtime tree because unlike many of San Diego’s other flowering trees that hold onto their blooms until summer, the Western redbud typically only possesses its flowers from March to May.  It really does scream, “Springtime is here!” with its showy flaunting of pink and purple hues.

The Western redbud is a tree that loves the seasons. In the spring, it bedazzles us with its lovely flowers. Then it drops its blooms to make way for its green, heart-shaped foliage, all ready to soak up the hot sun in the summer.  In the fall, the green foliage transforms into comforting autumn colors, which eventually drops toward the end of the year to expose a naked “winter-looking” tree. But be patient, because like clockwork, when the first month of spring comes around, so will those charming blooms!

Pastel purplish-pink flowers

Native to California

Blooms in spring

Grows to 10-20 feet in height

Does best in full sun + regular deep watering

Heart-shaped leaves that are green in summer + change color in autumn

Photo credit: cultivar413

9

GOLD MEDALLION TREE

Cassia leptophylla

The gold medallion tree showcases an explosion of yellow pom-poms during San Diego’s summer months. With its basketball-size flower clusters growing on the ends of its limbs, it truly does look like an explosive fireworks display!

Stemming from Brazil, this is a tropical tree that does best in tropical climates, but still manages to flourish in San Diego’s dry climate. If you’ve visited some of the tropical regions in the United States, the gold medallion probably reminds you of some of the trees from those states. That’s because it has two very popular cousins — the golden shower tree that is so common in the South and the rainbow shower tree that populates the Hawaiian Islands. Both have amazing flower spectacles and so does the gold medallion tree! It’s a family trait.

The gold medallion is a fast-growing tree that sprouts to about 20-25 feet in height, with an average canopy spread of 20-30 feet that is composed of long compound leaves. Being a tropical tree, it does well through San Diego’s heat spells and requires a planting location that receives full sun. After being translated, the gold medallion will require a frequent water schedule until its roots become well-established. Then it will require less water and will tolerate drought conditions very well.

Like other common flowering trees in San Diego, the gold medallion is a member of the legume family, so after the flowers drop, LOOOONG brown seed pods that can grow to about two feet in length begin to take over the canopy. Not too pretty of a sight when you see a populace of brown seed pods dangling from a tree, especially when that tree was looking quite dapper with its green foliage and showy yellow blooms just a few months prior — but beauty is fleeting.

Large yellow flower clusters

Does well in high-heat and drought conditions

Blooms in summer

Grows to 20-25 feet in height

Grows long brown seed pods in autumn

Long compound leaves

10

MIMOSA TREE

Albizia julibrissin

If you like the sight of hummingbirds, then the popular silk tree, also known as the mimosa tree, would make a great addition to your property’s landscape. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies absolutely love this tree’s uniquely-shaped, pink blooms.  And even better, property owners love this tree for its total package. This is a tree that is not only stunning when it’s in bloom, but it’s also extremely hardy, fast-growing, and easy to care for.

Originating from China, the silk tree was brought to the United States in the mid-18th century, and now can be found in most states from coast to coast. It derived its name, silk tree, from its flower puffs that resemble silk threads. If you have ever traveled to Hawaii, this is a tree that brings a sense of familiarity because it looks nearly identical to its cousin, the monkeypod tree, which reigns as one of Hawaii’s most prominent trees. The silk tree possesses a tropical display and does very well in high temperatures. While it may not be the tropics, it still flourishes in the dry, hot summer months in San Diego. It may be a heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant tree, but being a tropical tree, if you want your mimosa to reach its highest potential, then it would be best to keep it on a regular, deep-water schedule.

In the late spring and into the summer months, the mimosa tree shifts into “bedazzle” mode when its pink blooms emerge. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” It holds true with the silk tree. After its beautiful bloom season ends, the tree’s “ugly” season begins, as its gorgeous art show turns into a sad exhibit of 6-inch seed pods. Initially, it’s not too bad, but then the tree’s fern-like foliage drop when the temperatures begin to drop. Then in the winter, all that is left is a straggly, leafless tree with hundreds of drooping, brown seed pods.

As with any tree, when the silk tree is first planted in a new location, it goes through a shock period that can last a couple of years. You won’t see much action during this time. You won’t even see flowers. But once its roots get firmly established (typically 2-5 years), the tree quickly grows until it reaches its plateau height, which typically lands in the 20-30ft range. And after years of waiting, you’ll finally get to see those spectacular flower clusters. But before that happens, the tree needs to reach a certain level of maturity before it can produce flowers. In general, the mimosa typically doesn’t start producing blooms until it reaches a height of 10 feet.

Pink flower puffs that attract hummingbirds + butterflies

Heat- and drought-tolerant

Blooms in late spring into summer

Grows to 20-30 feet in height

Produces long seed pods

Fern-like foliage

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