David Gress
June Tree of the Month: Gold Medallion Tree
Cassia leptophylla Gold Medallion Tree is certainly one of the most spectacular of all flowering trees. In summer, eye-catching clusters of yellow blooms appear at the ends of its leafy branches – every cluster looks like an enormous bouquet of…
May 2026 Tree of the Month: Himalayan Maple
Acer oblongum Himalayan Maple is a rather odd maple tree - one that fails to have nearly every aspect usually associated with maples. It is not deciduous - its leaves neither change color nor fall off in autumn; rather, it…
April 2026 Tree of the Month: Brazilian Coral Tree
Erythrina Falcata In Santa Barbara, April is the best time to see and enjoy the spectacular floral displays of Brazilian Coral Trees. Large clusters of dazzling coral-colored flowers turn their crowns ablaze. In the mid-1930s, Brazilian Coral Tree was first…
March 2026 Tree of the Month: Sweetshade Tree
Hymenosporum Flavum The amazingly sweet perfume that drifts from the flowers of the Sweetshade Tree gives this lovely tree its name - a divine combination of the fragrances of Plumeria blossoms and orange blossoms. Sweetshade Tree is a medium-sized broadleaf…
February 2026 Tree of the Month: Hong Kong Orchid Tree
Bauhinia blakeana When people first experience a Hong Kong Orchid Tree up close, they find it hard to believe any tree could be covered with so many lovely orchid-like flowers that fill the air with such a wonder fragrance! The…
January Tree of the Month: Evergreen Pear Tree
Pyrus kawakamii The blossoms of the Evergreen Pear Tree were exceptionally vibrant in Santa Barbara this year, although somewhat short-lived, due to early rains that were followed by surprisingly hot and dry days. The Evergreen Pear creates a remarkable display…
December Tree of the Month: Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla Santa Barbara’s skyline is punctuated with the upper spires of handsome trees commonly called “Norfolk Island Pine”. Because of their star-shaped top whorl of branches, they have another common name, “Star Pine”. The most easily recognized one in…
November Tree of the Month: Chinese Lantern Tree
Koelreuteria bipinnata From summer through late fall, the Chinese Lantern Tree provides a spectacular display of color. It begins with spikes of brilliant yellow flowers - and continues as the flowers transform into luminous seed pods that resemble tiny Chinese…