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Westside Trees
updated: Oct 06, 2012, 11:54 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

We would like to buy a couple of trees for our yard in the Westside. They should allow for dappled shade, fit in with the neighborhood/Santa Barbara landscape and not become enormous. Ideas?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

SHOREBIRD	2012-10-06 11:59 AM
Avoid magnolia trees. Long lateral roots upset foundations and 100 leaf drops a day make the yard a fire trap.
SBSAND	2012-10-06 12:01 PM
Jacaranda :)
COMMENT 328574	2012-10-06 12:17 PM
Coastal Live Oak.
COMMENT 328576P	2012-10-06 12:26 PM
Golden Medallion tree Jacarandas are beautiful but very messy.
MTNDRIVER	2012-10-06 12:29 PM
Well, if you'd like a deciduous tree, tipuana tipu might be good. They grow fast, tend to spread horizontally, are easy to cut back or thin out (just using big lopping shears), have beautiful yellow flowers in the spring. Jacaranda are lovely, but they grow more slowly. Various cassias are good. Parkinsonia, similar to Palo Verde, has a desert feel, also manageable size. Palo Verde itself would not be a good choice on the west side, too damp. I'm a sucker for flowering trees, but another stunner that doesn't flower is gingko biloba. The leaves turn brilliant gold before falling. Make sure not to buy a female of this species, as the fruit they drop stinks. All those are deciduous.
COMMENT 328580P	2012-10-06 12:33 PM
How about some mature "retired" olive trees from Olivos Del Mar Nursery? 800.624.4896 I heard that they will sell, transport, and actually plant a 36" box olive tree for about $1200-$1500. Ready-made shade! http://www.sbolive.com/default.aspx
EMUWREN1	2012-10-06 12:47 PM
OP: What do you consider to be "enormous?" Almost all the trees recommended here (Tipu tipuana, Jacaranda, Live oak) get tall, but not over 20 feet, generally. Why not plant a couple of fruit trees? I would plant avocado, which won't get too large, as there are some shorter varieties. How about a pomegranate tree? They are deciduous only for a few months, at most, and always during winter-spring months, when you would want more sunlight. Pomegranates don't need much attention, and they thrive here. Also: they don't mind being shaped and pruned back. Birds love these trees, as they provide a lot of protection. Plant an apricot tree and enhance your neighborhood and your own health. Apricots provide great shade in summer months, too.
COMMENT 328588	2012-10-06 12:51 PM
I was going to also mention Olive; however, since they can get messy would the homeowner have to get them treated so as to not produce the fruit? Ditto "no" on the Jacaranda. As for the tipo, since they grow so fast isn't the root structure shallow---thus a concern for breakage in high winds and/or after a period of drought? I think this is an excellent thread! I would like to see what the many tree professionals we have in this town think.
COMMENT 328594	2012-10-06 01:04 PM
Tree in the curb strip (street tree), or in the setback (varies from area to area - check it) or in the back or side yard? Every street in Santa Barbara has a designated street tree species. Check with Parks Department arborist.
SBBOOKWORM	2012-10-06 01:24 PM
You might look at an Arbutus Marina. Drought tolerant, beautiful red bark. Little flowers. Nice foliage. We planted one in front of our condo complex and really like it. Drive by if you'd like. It's up near the front door on the left. 2727 Miradero Drive.
COMMENT 328608	2012-10-06 01:38 PM
It seems like you're looking for smaller trees, so I wouldn't recommend Oak or Jacaranda. Both of these trees get large, need to be kept pruned back if close to the house, and also drop a lot (leaves/purple flowers). We have/had both on our property, and I wouldn't plant them again if I were to start from scratch.
COMMENT 328615	2012-10-06 02:14 PM
Which, if any, are trees that are native to our area? I love the firescape that station ?? did by the old reservoir. That, to me, speaks of responsible and beautiful landscaping. I would like for the city, in conjuction with the county, to give a talk on native and fire-safe landscaping. I may be wrong, but I think we could also conserve water too.
COMMENT 328679	2012-10-06 04:19 PM
Consider a Maytenus Boaria, aka a Maytens. It's a small ornamental tree. It weeps and bows with the wind and is very graceful. Maytenus boaria does require some care. Branches periodically die back, a little more often than the average tree. It requires some water, not a lot but the California summers are a little too long and dry to go with no water. Other weeping trees to consider when thinking about this tree are the Peppermint Tree and the Australian Willow. It is hardy at least into the teens.
COMMENT 328693	2012-10-06 05:59 PM
I also would recommend Agonis flexuosa, 30' high and 25'wide. Known as a patio tree.
COMMENT 328696	2012-10-06 06:05 PM
I forgot to add my personal fav, the Albizia (silk tree, mimosa), multi trunk Like the Jacaranda it is messy.
COMMENT 328727	2012-10-06 08:02 PM
Loquat? Mexican Lime?
COMMENT 328762P	2012-10-07 04:26 AM
Go take a stroll through Alice Keck Park Park (her last name was "Park"). That should give you some great ideas. I agree with the poster who said plant fruit trees, though. Always nice to have fresh fruit.
AWESOME BLOSSOM	2012-10-07 07:53 AM
Evergreen or deciduous? West facing? Full sun most of the day? So much information is needed before I can answer that.
COMMENT 328801	2012-10-07 09:39 AM
I would recommend Arbutus Undeo, the Stawberry tree. The foliage is dark green, with white-pink flowers, and red strawberry-like fruit; they like a lot or a little bit of water; they actually put out fruit that can be made into jelly, the hummingbirds love them; and the bark is fantastic - flaky red. Also, while they drop leaves, they are continually green. They look great in a bed, with under foliage plants. Mine has been in the ground for about 7 years and is 12 feet tall and about the same in its spread.
SEEDLADY	2012-10-07 10:24 AM
One MAJOR thing to remember about all the evergreen trees mentioned above is that there is YEAR-ROUND LEAF DROP. Every day, every week, every month.The smaller leaved trees (Toyon, Arbutus, Agonis, etc.) are the worst. If they are over paving, you'd better have a loving relationship with a broom or blower (yeah-- I know, I know). That said, sweeping is good excercise if you are a compulsive groomer. Large leaves like Magnolia and Loquat are tough to compost and take up too much room in the greenwaste wheelie. Deciduous trees drop their leaves in fall, over a month or so. You can efficiently gather them to compost. Their bare branches also let light into and onto a home during the darker, colder months of the year, just when this is needed. Smaller deciduous trees/shrubs (multi-trunk) include mildew resistant Crepe Mrytles, Smoke Tree, Flowering Peach and Flowering Plums. (these trees are all listed in Bob Perry's 'Trees and Shrubs for a Dry Calif. Landscape'--available at the library) So do consider some of the smaller deciduous fruit trees. Peaches, Plums and Apricots are small enough to prune yourself, have lovely shapes, give light, dappled shade, don't have enormous root systems, and may give you fruit depending on the variety you chose. Local independent nurseries will stock only those varieties which will do well along the coast. Big Box stores will stock whatever they get the cheapest. Take your time, research and look around for good examples of small trees you like. Ring doorbells and see if the homeowner has any words of wisdom. Go to educated and experienced sources for info, taking along some snapshots of your yard and neighborhood. Best wishes!
COMMENT 328821P	2012-10-07 10:38 AM
disagree with mntdriver--ginkgo gets huge--ultimately 50-60' in 40 yrs. Too large by far for a small-lot neighborhood. Great in a park or rural setting away from pavement or sewer/water/irrigation lines.
COMMENT 329001	2012-10-07 06:07 PM
I agree with SEEDLADY, great advise. We have a purple plum (ornamental) it's a beauty!! Does like regular watering. Great color...
COMMENT 329058	2012-10-07 08:35 PM
OP here. We took our first trip to the nurseries today....and decided that we need to do a bit more research. We'll be heading to the library and walking around the neighborhood (special thanks to seedlady). Thank you for all of your fantastic advice!
COMMENT 329200	2012-10-08 10:01 AM
Anyone have any experience with Japanese maples? These are my favorite trees, but outside of gardens (Lotusland) I don't really see them here. How do they do in this climate?
COMMENT 331224	2012-10-14 01:07 PM
I believe Caltrans planted a grove of Japanese Maples at the Fairview Northboun 101 Onramp. If so they seem to be doing well.

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