Lagerstroemia indica
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle can be successfully grown as a tree or shrub. It offers interest all year—flowers summer into to fall, fall color, and interesting sculptural branches during winter after leaves fall. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.
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Laurus nobilis
Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay
The leaf of this plant is the classic bay leaf used in cooking. It can be grown as a tree or shrub. Adapts well to container culture, helpful when below-freezing temperatures are forecast. Simply move plants to a protected location. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Leucaena retusa
Golden Leadball Tree
Yellow-gold, ball-shaped flowers about 1 inch in diameter hang from branches. The delicate, lacy leaves help provide a subtropical effect. Accepts some shade. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Malus x 'Prairifire'
Prairifire Crabapple
Crabapple 'Prairifire' becomes a small, round-headed tree. The small, red crabapple fruit in fall are loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.
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Malus 'Indian Magic'
Flowering Crabapple
Hundreds of crabapple varieties are available to choose from. 'Indian Magic' is shown here. Look for those known to do well locally and are disease resistant. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Olea europaea
Fruitless Olive
The pollen produced by Olive can cause severe allergies in some people, to the extent that purchasing Olive trees is banned in certain regions. However, pollenless selections are available. 'Swan Hill' is one of these popular selections. Also see 'Little Ollie' in Shrubs. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Parkinsonia 'Desert Museum'
Hybrid Palo Verde
This Palo Verde is a thornless horticultural selection with an attractive vase shape. A popular choice. Avoid overwatering especially in summer; don't plant in lawns. Can suffer from limb breakage in high winds. Canopy coverage: 491 square feet.
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Parkinsonia florida
Blue Palo Verde
The rich yellow flowers of Blue Palo Verde become a giant bouquet of color in spring. This is an attractive tree with a vase-shaped form. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Parkinsonia microphylla
Foothills Palo Verde
Foothills Palo Verde is naturally more shrublike in form but it can be pruned to become a small tree with character. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Photinia serratifolia
Chinese Photinia
A versatile tree or perhaps more commonly grown as a large, spreading shrub. Prune to maintain desired size and form. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. New growth is light green to coppery bronze, then turns dark to medium green. Showy red berries follow spring flowers and adorn the plant for a long time. Susceptible to mildew along the coast. Canopy coverage (tree form): 707 square feet.
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Pinus coulteri
Coulter Pine, Big Cone Pine
This native California pine grows naturally in the wild on dry rocky slopes. It readily accepts interior valley conditions. Its form is attractive, developing into a symmetrical tree with a broad crown when provided enough space. Coulter Pine is known for its large, heavy cones that reach 12 inches long or slightly more. The cones can be dangerous for folks beneath them if they should fall! Canopy coverage: 1,257 square feet.
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Pinus edulis
Piñon Pine
Piñon Pine is a small stature tree but possesses much character. Slow growing, it takes several years before trees produce cones and edible seeds. It looks right at home in a rock or boulder garden. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Pinus eldarica
Afghan Pine, Mondell Pine
Afghan pine is a tree with a symmetrical, pyramidal form. Brown cones 4 to 6 inches long add interest in summer. Effective and commonly used as a fast-growing windbreak. Canopy coverage: 491 square feet.
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Pinus halepensis
Aleppo Pine
You can often Identify a mature Aleppo Pine due to its rounded, irregular form. Makes a nice large specimen tree. Canopy coverage: 491 square feet.
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Pinus monophylla
Singleleaf Piñon Pine
Similar to Piñon Pine, but it takes on a little more rugged appearance at maturity. Needles are held one to a bundle; Piñon Pine are held two to a bundle. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Pinus pinea
Italian Stone Pine
Stone Pine develops a flat-topped crown with age. Brown cones are ornamental in late summer. Edible nuts attract wildlife. Canopy coverage: 1,257 square feet.
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Pinus roxburghii
Chir Pine
Graceful form of this tree makes it appealing. However, mature size may be too large for most home landscapes. Canopy coverage: 1,257 square feet.
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Pistacia chinensis
Chinese Pistache
Chinese Pistache is a great choice as a shade tree with the bonus of striking fall color in shades of gold and red. Canopy coverage: 962 square feet.
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Platanus racemosa
Sycamore
A large tree best suited for naturalistic landscapes. Also consider Arizona Sycamore, which has a smaller mature size to 40 feet high. Canopy coverage: 1,963 square feet.
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Platycladus orientalis
Oriental Arborvitae
This is a popular evergreen grown as a tree or shrub. The Oriental Arborvitae species produces an open, pyramidal habit. Soft, scalelike leaves present in flat, fanlike sections. 'Aurea Nana' features yellow-gold foliage, growing as a globe-shaped shrub to 5 feet high or more. Accepts sandy to heavy clay soils, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Podocarpus macrophyllus
Yew Pine, Buddhist Pine
Yew Pine is an excellent choice for narrow locations, such as against a wall or in an entryway. Accepts training as an espalier. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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