Whether you’ve just purchased a new home, want to revamp your property, or need more shade and privacy, planting trees may come to mind. North County San Diego has an ideal climate for growing a variety of tree species; learning which kind of tree choices will work best on your property is the first step.

The type of tree you choose will depend on the space needed for healthy growth, aesthetics, budget and preferences. Our Certified Arborist, Paul Rider, has put together a list of trees that will do well in the Southern California region.

Drought-tolerant trees and plants that prefer sun are your best choices. Although, most trees grow fastest when they are young and planted in fertilized, well watered soil. There are also many factors on proper placement. Calling a professional to guide you through the process could save you money in the future, as well as protect your investment.

Many homeowners underestimate the importance of the size of the tree and the space available in their yard. One of the main reason homeowners have to remove trees is because the root structure has grown too big. For instance, you don’t want to plant a tree within 10 feet (sometimes more, depending on the species) of your home to avoid unseen roots that can cause damage to your sewer lines, drainage pipes and foundation.

By choosing the proper trees that will flourish in this region, as well as in the space they are planted, will help the overall health and longevity of your trees…and also your pocket book!

Deodar Cedar

The Deodar Cedar is another evergreen that is both heat and drought-tolerant once established. It is well adapted to North County San Diego’s climate and even grows well in mild coastal conditions. Sometimes referred to as a Christmas tree, the Deodar is not as dense as the evergreen trees that are typically used for the holidays.

Mature height: up to 80′
Width at maturity: 20-40′
Shape: wider at the bottom, narrowing towards the top
Growth rate: medium
Prefers: full sun to partial shade
Leaves: dark green shaded needles
Maintenance: low
Fire resistance: low
Water requirements: low

Best for:
Large spaces
Privacy/screening

 

Western Redbud

The Western Redbud is a smaller tree that bursts with magenta flowers in the spring and is often found in the foothills and other dry regions. Drought-tolerant and fairly compact, the Western Rosebud is a popular landscaping tree in Southern California.

Mature height: up to 20′
Width at maturity: 15′
Shape: shrub-like, multi-trunked rounded tree
Growth rate: moderate
Prefers: full sun
Leaves: heart-shaped green, copper-tinged leaves in spring progressing to green and brown shades
Maintenance: low
Fire resistance: favorable
Water requirements: low

Best for:
Smaller landscaping areas
Ornamental plantings
Hedges/fence lines

 

Crape Myrtle

The Crape Myrtle has good reasons for its popularity in North County San Diego. It grows to an ideal height and the canopy establishes very quickly and evenly. With a considerably long bloom cycle, Crape Myrtles are known to produces vibrant white, pink or purple flowers from early spring all the way into the fall.

Mature height: up to 25′
Width at maturity: 15′
Shape: shrub-like, multi-stemmed tree with dense branches
Growth rate: moderate to fast
Prefers: full sun
Leaves: medium-green that change to more yellow/orange shades in the fall
Maintenance: low
Fire resistance: moderate
Water requirements: low to medium

Best for:
Smaller landscaping areas
Ornamental plantings

 

Angel’s Trumpet Tree

Angel’s Trumpets are mainly considered large tropical shrubs but are capable of being pruned into a tree form and can be considered a small tree. The Angel’s Trumpet is named for its extra large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom generously in the summer and fall producing fragrant flowers that open at night. The Angel’s Trumpet should not be used in yards with kids or pets as they are highly toxic if ingested.

Mature height: up to 6′ to 15′
Width at maturity: 10-‘ to 15’
Shape: vase-like with trumpet-shaped flowers
Growth rate: fast
Prefers: medium sun
Leaves: medium-sized, green
Maintenance: low
Fire resistance: moderate
Water requirements: medium

Best for:
Smaller landscaping areas
Accent landscaping & borders
Ornamental planting

 

Lemon Bottlebrush

The Lemon Bottlebrush is an evergreen tree that is also commonly grown as a shrub but it is commonly pruned to form a single trunk or multi-trunked small tree. Named for the lemony scent of its leaves and its dense flower spikes that resemble bottle brushes, flowers might be creamy yellow or deep red.

Mature height: up to 25′
Width at maturity: up to 25′
Shape: oval, rounded at top
Growth rate: moderate to fast
Prefers: full to medium sun
Leaves: bright green, fairly slender
Maintenance: medium
Fire resistance: favorable
Water requirements: low

Best for:
Smaller landscaping areas
Hedging
Shade

Privacy/Screening

 

Royal Purple Smoke Tree

This is a deciduous tree with dramatic, pink-purple seed clusters and reddish foliage that reaches its peak in the summer and becomes scarlet in the fall. The tree’s blooms often appear wispy or “smoky,” hence the name!

Mature height: 15′ to 20′
Width at maturity: up to 12′ to 15′
Shape: round, small
Growth rate: slow
Prefers: full to medium sun
Leaves: oval, purple-red
Maintenance: low
Fire resistance: moderate
Water requirements: medium

Best for:
Borders
Deck/patio decoration

 

Shoestring Acacia

The Shoestring Acacia is an evergreen that grows well in semi-arid climates and has low water needs once established. It blooms an array of cream and yellow flowers, mostly in the spring. Because the Shoestring Acacia tends to slightly drop leaves, it’s recommended it not be planted close to pools.

Mature height: 20′ to 40′
Width at maturity: 15′ to 25′
Shape: grows upright and has a “weeping” appearance
Growth rate: fast
Prefers: full sun
Leaves: long, thin, and green
Maintenance: low
Fire resistance: low
Water requirements: low

Best for:
Filtered shade
Privacy/screening
Compact landscape spaces

 

Sweet Shade Tree

Native to Australia, this evergreen tree sprouts sweet-smelling flowers in the spring and early summer that bloom a pale yellow and mellow to a deep yellow.

Mature height: up to 40′
Width at maturity: up 15′ to 20′
Shape: tall and slender
Growth rate: slow
Prefers: full sun to slight shade
Leaves: yellow-green to bright green shiny oval clusters
Maintenance: moderate
Fire resistance: favorable
Water requirements: low

Best for:
Smaller landscaped spaces
Patio areas
Lawns

Want to Know More? Contact Us Today
Contact our experts at Tree Barber today at 760.745.7871 or 858.485.0663 for a free estimate. We are your tree and plant health professionals, and we will always value the beauty, safety, and long-term health of your trees.

We are proud to help customers in and around North County San Diego, including the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, Escondido, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and Vista.