The Best Trees for Your Landscape in Burbank and San Fernando Valley, CA
This is the ultimate guide to landscaping trees in the San Fernando Valley, California. If you are looking for a tree that will thrive in our climate and provide beautiful curb appeal, this guide is for you! We have compiled a list of some of our favorites, including native species and drought-tolerant varieties that will do well in our hot, dry summers. With some planning and care, you can have a stunning landscape that will envy your neighbors!
When it comes to trees for your landscape, there are a few things to consider. In the San Fernando Valley and Burbank, CA, you will want to choose a tree that can withstand our hot, dry summers. Additionally, selecting a tree that is appropriate for the size of your property is essential. Here are some of our favorite trees for landscapes in San Fernando Valley, CA:
California Live Oak.
This native species is perfect for small to medium-sized yards. The Live Oak is a beautiful evergreen oak that grows predominantly west of the central valley, as far north as Mendocino County, and as far south as northern Baja California in Mexico. This tree typically has a much-branched trunk and reaches a mature height of 10–25 meters. Some specimens may attain an age exceeding 250 years, with trunk diameters of up to three or four meters. Its form is highly variable, and younger trees are often shrubby. The trunk, particularly for older individuals, may be highly contorted, massive, and gnarled. The crown is broadly rounded and dense, especially when aged 20 to 70 years; in later life, the trunk and branches are more well defined, and the leaf density is lower. The leaves are dark green, oval, often convex in shape, 2-7 cm long and 1-4 cm broad; the surface is smooth or finely tomentose (hairy). The acorns are ovoid or globose, 10-15 mm long by 8-12 mm broad; covered in a thin scaly cupule. The fruit ripens from October to December.
Coastal Redwood
If you have a larger yard, coastal redwood is a great option. It is a taller tree and can provide privacy and beauty to your landscape. The Coast Redwood (Sequoia semprevirens) is an evergreen, long-lived tree that can reach up to 115.5 meters (379.1 feet) in height. It is native to coastal California and the southwestern corner of Oregon within the United States. These beautiful trees can easily grow in their native range but may quickly become too large for many residential gardens. Provide plenty of room and adequate moisture throughout the year. Outside its native range, it may show signs of stress, and its lifespan may be shortened. The tree is sensitive to water quality and air quality issues, as well as low humidity and drying winds. Coast redwoods are also monoecious, meaning that male and female reproductive organs are found on the same tree. These trees can live up to 2,200 years old, making them some of the longest-lived organisms on Earth. In addition to their impressive height, Coast Redwoods are some of the widest trees in the world, with some individual trees having diameters of 8 meters (26 feet). If you are lucky enough to live in an area where these magnificent trees grow, give them the space and care they need to thrive.
Desert Willow
The desert willow is a drought-tolerant tree that produces beautiful flowers. It is a good choice for medium to large yards and can add color and interest to your landscape. The desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a small tree native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is commonly seen in washes and along riverbanks at elevations below 1500 meters in the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Ranging from 1.5 to as much as 8 meters in height, it can have the general appearance of either a shrub or a small tree. The linear, curved leaves, ranging from 10-26 centimeters in length and 2-4 millimeters broad, are deciduous. It has fragrant pink flowers that hummingbirds love. Because it is winter deciduous, it will be leafless half of the year. However, in Spring and Summer, its flowers justify inclusion in a sunny, inland garden.
Jacaranda
The jacaranda is a beautiful tree that produces purple flowers. It does well in our climate and can add curb appeal to any property. The jacaranda tree is an excellent choice for a shade tree, with its dense canopy of fern-like leaves that can relieve the hot summer sun. The tree is fast-growing in its first few years, gaining up to ten feet per year, though its growth rate slows down as it matures. The tree is typically planted between fall and early spring, and it can be considered semi-evergreen or deciduous, depending on the climate where it is grown. Only mature jacarandas, eight years or older, will flower, with the blooms appearing in late spring to early summer. The flowers are a beautiful purple color, adding a splash of color to the landscape during the warmer months.
Palo Verde
The palo verde is another drought-tolerant tree perfect for small to medium-sized yards. It has a unique green bark and can provide interest and beauty to your landscape. Palo Verde trees are common in the Southwest. There are two types: the foothill, yellow or little leaf palo verde (Parkinsonia aculeata), and the blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Palo verde means “green wood” or “green stick” in Spanish, referring to the plant’s greenish branches and trunk. The common names refer to location, bark tints, or comparative leaf size. Both species are spiny, green, multi-trunked, deciduous trees. Foothill Palo Verdes only reach about 20 feet in height and have more yellowish bark and duller yellow/white flowers. Blue Palo Verdes top out at 40 feet. Their twigs and young branches are bluish-green, as are their leaves, which are larger than the foothill variety. Both have twice pinnate leaves (leaves with two stems and opposing leaflets on each stem), with the foothill species having more abundant leaflets. The flowers of both species are small and yellow/white, but the blue Palo Verde’s flowers are more showy.
Conclusion
With a little bit of planning, you can have a stunning landscape that is both beautiful and functional. These are just a few of our favorite trees for landscapes in San Fernando Valley, CA. If you need help choosing the right tree for your property, contact Burbank Tree Experts! We will be able to give you more information about the best trees for your landscape and help you create the perfect yard.