If you are in the midst of making significant changes to your landscaping, you might be thinking about adding a few trees. After all, they provide a variety of climate change benefits, including shade, protection against soil erosion, and a natural fire break. In the wake of wildfires throughout California, even in the area around North County San Diego, trees could be a natural defense to be added to the grounds around your home.
However, before you start purchasing your favorite trees, it is essential to choose the San Diego trees that will work best within your unique Southern California climate. Here are 5 species for you to consider.
Why Think About Climate?
When it comes to planting trees, the climate is vital to the tree’s survival. It also helps them thrive, creating multiple benefits to the area around it. This tree can soak in carbon dioxide, benefiting the environment. Additionally, trees help to keep moisture in the air, as well as protecting against mudslides by preventing soil erosion.
With the increasing number of wildfires, flooding, and mudslides, there are reasons to choose landscaping that has environmental benefits, as well as providing beautiful aesthetics. Now let’s talk about the different tree species that work best in the North County San Diego climate.
The Desert Willow
This tree is impressive, simply because it can grow into a variety of sizes and shapes. During the winter, it can look quite dead, but in the spring, this hardy plant, which is also water-thrifty, produces beautiful pink-to-lavender-magenta flowers. It can become a lovely addition to your yard while still handling droughts well.
Chaste Tree
What makes this tree a unique addition to your yard is its ability to attract insects, particularly butterflies. As an evergreen shrub, it also provides rich scented foliage and beautiful lavender flowers. Since it hails from the Mediterranean region, this tree is also suitable for handling periods of drought. In fact, too much water can lead to root rot.
Phoenix Mesquite
The mesquites are a hardwood tree that can withstand harsh environments with minimal watering. This thorn-less mesquite can also add shade to areas in the full sun. In fact, this tree thrives with ample sunlight and limited competition from ground cover, making it an excellent addition to any San Diego yard.
Olea Europaea – Swan Hill
This tree, which is native to the Mediterranean, is also known as an olive tree. It is an evergreen that does not provide fruit or pollen. It makes a beautiful addition to reduce allergens. This tree also requires minimal maintenance. Plus, they are also drought-resistant and can be planted in groups. If you are looking for a tall tree, then the Swan Hill might be the right choice, as they can get up to 25 feet tall.
Cercidium X – Desert Museum Palo Verde
The Desert Museum is a shade tree that produces abundant yellow blossoms during the spring and can thrive even in low water environments. That makes them naturally a perfect fit for the drier climates of California. Initially found in the deserts of Arizona, today, this tree can thrive in a variety of environments.
Planting these San Diego trees can give you beauty and color in your yard, while still providing natural shade and other benefits. If you are interested in finding the best trees for your landscaping, our Certified Arborist can assist you in choosing the right trees, but in caring for the trees that may already be residing in your yard. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation.
Recognized as a top tree care company, Tree Barber Enterprises serves thousands of residential and business customers in North County San Diego. Our Certified Arborist is highly skilled and extensively trained in the latest arboriculture techniques, which enables us to perform our tasks quickly, safely and economically.