David Gress
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…
October Tree of the Month: Carob Tree
Ceratonia siliqua Because its native region is the Arabian Peninsula, the Carob Tree is, not surprisingly, incredibly drought- and heat-tolerant. What is surprising is its lush evergreen foliage and tropical look. In the late 1860s, this interesting tree was introduced…
September Tree of the Month: African Tulip Tree
Spathodea campanulata Considered by many horticulturists to be the most beautiful flowering tree in the world, African Tulip Trees are now putting on their best show of glorious blooms in Santa Barbara. In 1908, one of our local pioneering nurserymen,…
August Tree of the Month: Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia is a broad-leafed evergreen tree that has been widely planted in Santa Barbara since its introduction here in the late 1800s. The magnificent specimens standing on San Andres Street are now over 100 years old. This…
July Tree of the Month: River She-Oak
Casuarina cunninghamiana River She-Oak is an evergreen tree that can be considered a master (or a mistress?) of illusion. It has a pine-like appearance - but is not a pine at all. It isn’t even any type of conifer (a…
June Tree Of The Month: Senegal Date Palm
Phoenix reclinata Senegal Date Palm is stunning in the landscape. Its multiple trunks spread outward gracefully, creating the ambiance of a lush tropical oasis. It has been planted in the Santa Barbara community since the late 1800s. It was…
May Tree Of The Month: White Mulberry (and its Cultivars)
Morus alba White Mulberry is an attractive fast-growing, medium-sized, tree that can reach 50 feet in height - although in our community it usually only reaches about 30 to 40 feet with a spread of 25 to 30 feet. For…
April Tree Of The Month: Chinese Fringe Tree
Chionanthus retusus The Chinese Fringe Tree is a small tree with a big floral display – in spring, it is quite covered with glorious clusters of flowers bearing delicate, fringe-like, petals. Although relatively few of these trees have been planted…