Prunus armeniaca 'Sungold'
Apricot
This apricot is an early blooming tree, its flowers emerging even before leaves appear. Because flowers appear early in the spring season, they sometimes suffer from frost damage, reducing or eliminating fruit. Be aware it can be frustrating and challenging to grow them successfully. Many different fruiting selections available; check locally. 'Sungold' shown in photos. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea'
Purple Leaf Plum
Purple Leaf Plum is a small tree that remains in scale for residential use. Purple to bronze foliage contrasts nicely with green or gray-leaved plants. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'
Kwanzan Japanese Flowering Cherry
The form of Kwanzan Japanese Flowering Cherry is an upside-down pyramid with stiff upright branches. Flowers appear in spring before or the same time as the leaves, which emerge as red and change to green. Early blooming habit can be an issue with cold temperatures. Accepts sandy to clay soils; prefers moist soils. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Psorothamnus spinosus
Desert Smoke Tree
The natural habitat of Desert Smoke Tree is along desert washes. Accepts low water, but occasional deep irrigations will improve plant appearance. May be hard to find plants but worth the search. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Punica granatum
Pomegranate
Pomegranate can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Edible fruit is a primary attraction. If fruit is the goal provide more water during summer. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'
Bradford Pear
This dramatic flowering tree blooms early in spring, sometimes so early that freezes affect flowers. Additional cultivated varieties are available; check with local nurseries. Canopy coverage: 962 square feet.
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Quercus agrifolia
California Coastal Live Oak
California Coastal Live Oak is an outstanding shade tree of character where adapted. Spread is often greater than its height. Because it is native to an area with little summer rain, apply summer irrigations with caution. Leaves look much like those of holly: glossy dark green and crinkly. Canopy coverage: 1,963 square feet.
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Quercus alba
White Oak
White Oak is one of the most admired and desired of all Oaks. Form is an open, rounded crown with heavy, wide-spreading branches. Leaves are pinkish when they emerge, changing to green then to red or purple in fall. Accepts loam to heavy clay soils, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 2,827 square feet.
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Quercus engelmannii
Engelmann Oak, Mesa Oak
The natural habitat of this native California Oak is in the path of progress. Development in southern California has taken place (and continues) in the very regions where it likes to grow. Form is an open, spreading crown. Canopy coverage: 1,963 square feet.
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Quercus ilex
Holly Oak
Holly Oak can be grown as a tree or shrub, and actually makes a nice screen or hedge when planted close together. Canopy coverage: 1,963 square feet.
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Quercus kelloggii
California Black Oak
An Oak that remains in scale for most home landscapes, but can reach up to 80 feet in ideal conditions with time. Yellow to yellow-orange fall color. Bark is dark gray and furrowed. Canopy coverage: 1,257 square feet.
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Quercus lobata
Valley Oak
One of the largest if not the largest North American oak. Gives California's Central Valley its sense of place. Massive trunk and limbs are often twisted with age. Canopy coverage: 5,027 square feet.
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Quercus macrocarpa
Burr Oak, Mossycup Oak
Young Burr Oaks are pyramidal to oval in form, then eventually evolve into trees having a broad, rounded crown. Leaves are glossy dark green above, whitish beneath, which adds the element of movement when leaves move in the wind. Fall color is yellow and brown. Accepts most soils. Canopy coverage: 2,827 square feet.
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Quercus suber
Cork Oak
The deeply furrowed bark of Cork Oak, from which cork is harvested in certain parts of the world, is an attraction. Adapted to desert conditions. Canopy coverage: 1,257 square feet.
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Quercus turbinella
Desert Scrub Oak
Can be grown as a tree form, but more often serves as a shrub in tough conditions. Sharp-tipped leaves are evergreen but drop in spring as new leaves replace them. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Quercus virginiana 'Heritage'
Southern Live Oak
This is a quality evergreen shade tree. Look for 'Heritage', which has shown to be well adapted to desert conditions. Canopy coverage: 2,827 square feet.
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Rhapis excelsa
Slender Lady Palm
Slender Lady Palm is a decorative palm that forms dense clumps of numerous individual stems, reaching several feet high. Responds well to regular applications of diluted fertilizer. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Rhus lancea
African Sumac
This is an attractive evergreen tree but female plants can be messy with prolific production of berries. Some people are allergic to its pollen. Canopy coverage: 1,257 square feet.
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Robinia neomexicana
New Mexico Locust, Desert Locust
New Mexico Locust can be grown as a tree or shrub but most often a thicket-forming, spiny shrub, useful as a barrier or screen. Note that seeds are poisonous. Flowers are fragrant and are profuse in clusters. The interesting seed pods are dark brown, hairy, up to 4 inches long, and hang on branches for a long time. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Robinia pseudoacacia
Black Locust
Black Locust has an open, branching form. Requires pruning-training when young to develop into an appealing flowering tree. Canopy coverage: 2,827 square feet.
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Robinia x ambigua
Common Locust
Common Locust is a colorful tree when in flower. Many selections are available, look for 'Purple Robe'. Seed pods produce a fair amount of litter. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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