Botanical Name

Common Name

Sunset Zone

Mature Size

Flowers

Evergreen/ Deciduous

Description

Acer buergeranum 'Trident'

Trident Maple

4-9, 14-17, 20, 21

20'-25' high

Deciduous

Roundish crown. Low spreading growth. Good bonsai subject. Great patio tree. Fall color usually red.

Acer ginnala 'Flame'

Amur Maple

1-9, 14-16

20' high

yellow, early spring

Deciduous

Bright red winged seeds, Grown staked single tree or multiple trunk. Fall color red.

Acer platanoides 'Crimson King'

Norway Maple

1-9, 14-17

50'-60' high

greenish yellow in early spring

Deciduous

Broad-crowned. Dense foliage. Tolerates many types of soils. Voracious root system. Holds purple foliage color until leaf drop. Slower growing species. Better growth and vigor in South County.

Aesculus carnea'Briotii'

Red Horesechestnut

1-10, 12, 14-17

40' high, 30' wide

rosy crimson in April-May

Deciduous

Large, unusual round head. Dark green leaves.

Arbutus 'Marina'

8, 9, 14-24,

40' high, 30' wide

rosy pink in fall

Evergreen

Larger leaves and flowers than other species. Little to regular water once established.

Betula pendula 'Crimson Frost'

Crimson Frost Birch

1-12, 14-24

25'-40' high, 15'-25' wide

yellow green flowers in April-May

Deciduous

It is noted for its burgundy-red to purple foliage and exfoliating white bark with cinnamon hues. Foliage acquires orange, red and yellow shades in autumn.

Katsura Tree

14-16, 18-20

40' high, 30' wide

Deciduous

Excellent specimen tree. Unusual leaf shape and texture. Slow growing. Needs protection from hot sun and dry winds.

Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn'

Chitalpa

3 through 24

20'-30' high

light pink flowers from late spring through fall

Deciduous

Long tap roots, won't ruin patios or driveways. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Outstanding choice for hot, dry locations.

Cinnamomum camphora

Camphor Tree

8, 9, 12-24

50' high

fragrant, yellow flowers in May

Evergreen

Strong structure, heavy tree. Grows slowly, Drops leaves heavily in March. Blackish fruit. Spicy, aromatic foliage.

Eucalyptus nicholii

Nichol's Willow-leafed Peppermint

12-15 degrees

40' high, 30' wide

small creamy-white flowers

Evergreen

Good garden or street tree. Fine-textured, billowing form. Fast growing. Crushed leaves smell like peppermint. Too much water can cause chlorosis.

Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood'

Raywood Ash

40'-50' high, 25'-30' wide

Deciduous

Outstanding shade tree. Burgundy  fall leave color. Symmetrical canopy. Smooth upright form. Fast growth rate. Good street tree.

Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Leprechaun'

Green Ash

zones 1-6

30'-40' high

Deciduous

Good shade tree for patios or restricted spaces. Moderate growth rate. Burns in hot dry winds.

Fraxinus velutina 'Rio Grande'

Fan-tex Ash

zones 8-24

35'-40' high

Deciduous

Resistant to wind burn. Thrives in hot, dry climates. Golden yellow in late fall. Great shade tree.

Fraxnus americana 'Purple'

Autumn Purple Ash

zones 1-11, 14-17

80' high

Deciduous

Good long lasting purple color in fall. Needs some watering. Edges slow to burn in windy areas. Relatively fast grower. Will thrive in clay soil.

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Jacaranda

zones 12, 13, 15-24

25'-40' high, 15'-30' wide

lavender blue between April and September

Deciduous to semi evergreen

Lavender flowers. Irregular, oval headed. Sometimes multi-trunked. Finely cut, fernlike leaves. Young plants are tender below 25 degrees. Fairly hard after some maturity. Often fails to flower in path of ocean winds or where heat is inadequate.

Koelreuteria paniculata

Golden Rain Tree

zones 2-21

20'-35' high, 10'-40' spread

Yellow flower clusters in summer 8"-14" long

Deciduous

Takes cold, heat, little water once established (needs regular water when young), wind. Prune to shape when young. Can be gawky without pruning.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Burgundy'

Sweet Gum

zones 1-12, 14-24

60' high

Deciduous

Leaves turn deep purple red, hang late into winter. Narrow and erect in youth, eventually spreading to 20'-25'. Tolerates damp soil. Resist oak root fungus.  Best planted by itself or in groups of 3 to 5.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto'

Sweet Gum

zones 1-12, 14-24

40' high, 30' wide

Deciduous

Leaves turn orange red to bright red in fall.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba'

American Sweet Gum

zones 1-12, 14-24

60' high

Deciduous

Color varies by variety. Tips of leaves are rounded and not pointed like other varieties.

Liquidambar styraciflua  'Festival"

Sweet Gum

zones 1-12, 14-24

60' high, 20' wide

Deciduous

Narrow, columnar. Light green foliage turns to yellow, peach, pink, orange, and red.

Malus 'Robinson'

Flowering Crabapple

zones 1-21

15'-25' high, 15'-25' wide

Pink flowers in April

Deciduous

One of the best performing crabapples available. Medium water requirements. .Foliage emerges bronze and fades to medium green. Very fast growing. Dark red fruits.

Maytenus boaria

Mayten Tree

Zones 8, 9, 14-21

30' tall

Evergreen

Deep watering is necessary or it will root near surface of soil. Good drainage is also important. Flowers and fruit are inconspicuous. Stake securely when planting. Resistant to oak root fungus.

Pistacia chinensis 'Keith Davies'

Chinese Pistache

zones 4-16, 18-23

60' tall, 50' wide

Deciduous

Foliage turns an even reddish fall color. Moderate growth. Can take aridity (once established) or irrigation. Resistant to oak root fungus. Stake young trees. Reliable tree for street, lawn, or garden planting.

Prunus yedoensis 'Akebono'

Yoshino Flowering Cherry

zones 2-7, 14-20

25' tall and wide

Soft Pink

Deciduous

Hanging flowers are slightly fragrant. Yellowish fall color. Fast growing. Flowering is best if trees are grown in full sun. Likes well-drained, fairly rich soil.

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'

Flowering Cherry

zones 2-7, 14-20

30' high, 20' wide

Rosy Pink, double flowers

Deciduous

Deep rosy pink flowers in pendant clusters. Midseason bloom. Smooth reddish, brown bark. Shorter lifespan (15-25 years)

Quercus suber

Cork Oak

zones 5-7, 8-16, 18-23

70'-100' high and as wide

Evergreen

Good garden shade tree. Moderate growth. Needs good drainage. Established trees can take considerable aridity.

Robinia ambigua 'Purple Robe'

Locust

all zones

40' high, 30' wide

Pink, late spring.

Deciduous

Great drought resistant shade tree for larger areas with pink flowers in late spring. Moderately fast growing, compact rounded deciduous tree.

Sapium sebiferum 'Chinese Tallow'

Chinese Tallow

zones 8, 9, 12-16, 18-21

35' high

Tiny yellowish flowers.

Deciduous

Grows in most soils. Prune only to correct shape. Good lawn tree or street tree. Resists oak root fungus. Gives light to medium shade. Outstanding fall color.

Ulmus parvifolia 'True Green"

Chinese Elm

zones 8, 9, 12-24

60' high, 50'-70' wide

Evergreen

Deep green leaves, round headed. Puzzle patch exfoliating bark when older.

Ulmus parvifolia 'Dynasty'

zones 8, 9, 12-24

50' high

Moderate to dry conditions once established. Puzzle patch exfoliating bark when older.