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Home Resources & Reference Urban Tree Species Directory

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Urban Tree Species Directory

This is a directory of the tree species that you are likely to see in San Francisco.

Not all of these trees are appropriate as street trees and FUF does not plants trees that will not thrive in the urban environment.

Because San Francisco has a variety of micro-climates and conditions, the location of your property is a big factor in choosing a suitable tree. A tree that thrives in the Mission neighborhood, for example, may not thrive in the Sunset.

Click any species below to see photos and detailed information about it. Use the Tree Sorter at right to show tree species that match your preferences or that are suited to certain conditions.

Want help identifying an existing tree in your neighborhood? Try the Urban Tree Key.

Common Names Scientific Names

American Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’/ ‘Palo Alto’/ ‘Burgundy’/ ‘Festival’

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’/ ‘Palo Alto’/ ‘Burgundy’/ ‘Festival’ (American Sweet Gum) - full view

American Sweet Gum

Native to Eastern United States, from Southwestern Connecticut to Florida (also found in mountains of Mexico and Guatemala). All color displays are spectacular. Fall colors in San Francisco.include oranges, reds, and yellows. Seed capsules are decorative. Disease and pest resistant.

Australian Tea Tree Leptospermum laevigatum

Leptospermum laevigatum (Australian Tea Tree) - full view

Australian Tea Tree

Native to Australia. Commonly seen in Golden Gate Park as a shrub with twisted, interesting trunks.

Australian Willow Geijera parviflora

Geijera parvifolia (Australian Willow) - full view

Australian Willow

Native to Australia. Neat, low maintenance street tree. Weeping form recalls willow without the problems of a true willow. Disease and pest resistant.

Autumn Blaze Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze'

Acer x freemanii (Autumn Blaze) - full view

Autumn Blaze

Hybrid cultivar; very popular in US, Australia, and New Zealand. More tolerant of short drought than other maples, but should be regularly watered. Fall color lasts longer than that of other maples.

Bailey’s Acacia Acacia baileyana

Acacia baileyana (Bailey's Acacia) - full tree

Bailey’s Acacia

Native to Australia. Few diseases, but may get aphids or sooty mold without enough water and care. The 'Purpurea' cultivar has purple to lavender colored new growth, same height, but slightly smaller spread.

Black Acacia Acacia melanoxylon

Acacia melanoxylon (Black Acacia) - Full Tree

Black Acacia

Native to the eastern and southeastern coasts of mainland Australia and the Australian island state of Tasmania. Very good as a solid screen tree.

Brazilian Pepper Tree Schinus terebinthifolia

Schinus terebinthefolius (Brazilian Pepper Tree) - full view

Brazilian Pepper Tree

Native to South America.

Brisbane Box Lophostemon confertus (formerly Tristania conferta)

Lophostemon confertus (Brisbane Box) - full view

Brisbane Box

Native to Australia. Low-maintenance street tree well adapted to harsh urban conditions. Disease and pest resistant.

Bronze Loquat Eriobotrya deflexa

Eriobotrya deflexa (Bronze Loquat) - full view

Bronze Loquat

Native to China. Heavy textured tree with interesting foliage. Attracts birds.

Cajeput Tree Melaleuca quinquenervia

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cajeput Tree) - full view

Cajeput Tree

Native to east coast of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, southeast New Guinea and New Caledonia. Good tree for 2x3' basins and beneath overhead wires. Disease and pest resistant. Attracts birds.

California Buckeye Aesculus californica

California Buckeye

Native to California Coastal Ranges Sierra Nevada Foothills below 4,000'. Beautiful flowers and winter silhouette

California Lilac Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’

Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ (California Lilac) - full view

California Lilac

Native to California. Stunning flowering tree in winter.

Camphor Tree Cinnamomum camphora

Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor Tree) - full view

Camphor Tree

Native to China, Japan, and Taiwan. Leaves are aromatic when crushed. Camphor is distilled from the leaves and twigs.

Carob Tree Ceratonia siliqua

AA. Ceratonia siliqua (Carob Tree) - full view

Carob Tree

Native to Eastern Mediterranean. In San Francisco, males are planted along sidewalks. Females produce and drop 1' long, dark-brown leathery seed pods (the seed pods are ground to a fine powder and used as a chocolate substitute).

Carrotwood Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Carrotwood

Native to Australia. Good tree for 2x3' basins. Disease and pest resistant.

Catalina Cherry Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii

Catalina Cherry

California native (Channel Islands). Often hybridizes with Prunus ilicifolia in native habitat.

Champaca Magnolia champaca (Michelia champaca)

Michelia champaca (Champaca) - full view

Champaca

Native to southeast Asia. Renowned for its fragrant flowers.

Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia ‘Drake’ / ‘Sempervirens’ / ‘True Green’

Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) - full view

Chinese Elm

Native to China, Korea, and Japan. Willow-like form with lacy foliage and attractive bark. Resists pests and diseases, including Dutch elm disease. Quickly creates shady canopies. 'Drake' resists anthracnose better than other Chinese Elms.

Chinese Flame Tree Koelreuteria bipinnata

Koelreuteria bipinnata (Chinese Flame Tree) - full view

Chinese Flame Tree

Native to Asia. Good shade tree. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Flowers attract bees.

Chinese Pistache Pistacia chinensis

Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistache) - full view

Chinese Pistache

Native to China. Good fall color, even in mild climates. Pest resistant.

Coast Live Oak Quercus agrifolia

Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) - full view

Coast Live Oak

Native to San Francisco peninsula, coastal Central and Southern California. Good choice for large basins and boulevard plantings.

Cork Oak Quercus suber

Quercus suber (Cork Oak) - full view

Cork Oak

Native to Mediterranean and northern Africa. Bark is very interesting and beautiful. Source of natural wine corks.

Crepe Myrtle Lagerstroemia ‘Tuscarora’/ ‘Natchez’

Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tuscarora’/ ‘Natchez’ (Crepe Myrtle) - full view

Crepe Myrtle

Native to China. Beautiful bark and flowers. May have single or multiple trunks. Popular street tree in Southern California.

Daybreak Cherry Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’

Prunus x yeodensis (Daybreak Cherry) - full view

Daybreak Cherry

Cultivated variety from Japan. Most disease-free flowering cherries for our climate.

Dracaena Palm Cordyline australis

cordyline australis (Cabbage Palm) - full view

Dracaena Palm

Native to New Zealand and Australia. Not a true palm.

English Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata

Crataegus laevigata (English Hawthorn) - full view

English Hawthorn

Native to Europe and North Africa. Good flower display in spring and berries are attractive on the bare winter branching. Good tree for 2x3' basins and beneath overhead wires. Thorns can help deter vandalism. Attracts birds.

European White Birch Betula pendula

Betula pendula (European White Birch) - full view

European White Birch

Native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Cannot tolerate drought. Attracts birds foraging for food.

Evergreen Ash Fraxinus uhdei

Evergreen Ash

Native to Mexico. Generally does not go dormant in San Francisco except in cold years.

Evergreen Pear Pyrus kawakamii

Pyrus kawakamii (Evergreen Pear) - full view

Evergreen Pear

Native to China and Taiwan. Interesting weeping form and some spring flower display. Good tree beneath overhead wires.

Fern Pine Afrocarpus gracilior (formerly Podocarpus gracilior)

Podocarpus gracilior (Fern Pine) - full view

Fern Pine

Native to Eastern Africa. Good tree for 2x3' basins and narrow sidewalks. Successful in shady spots.

Fernleaf Catalina Ironwood Lyonothamnus floribundus asplenifolius

Lyonothamnus floribundus asplenifolius (Fernleaf Catalina Ironwood) - full view

Fernleaf Catalina Ironwood

Native to Catalina Island. Good street tree for coastal areas, as long as it has some wind protection.

Flaxleaf Paperbark Melaleuca linariifolia

Melaleuca linarifolia (Flaxleaf Paperbark) - full view

Flaxleaf Paperbark

Native to Australia. Flowers look like snow on branches in the summer. Good tree beneath overhead wires. Good in wet soil, poor dra

Flowering Cherry Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' (Flowering Cherry) - full view

Flowering Cherry

Cultivar of Japanese native. Spring flower display. Good tree for 2x3' basins and beneath overhead wires. Disease and pest resistant. Attracts birds and bees.

Flowering Pear Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’/ ‘New Bradford’/ ‘Aristocrat’

Pyrus calleryana (Flowering Pear) - full view

Flowering Pear

Cultivar of Chinese natives. Attractive fall foliage and spring flowers.

Flowering Plum Prunus x blireana

Prunus x blireana (Flowering Plum) - full view

Flowering Plum

Hybrid of Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea' and Prunus mume.

Glossy Privet Ligustrum lucidum

Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet) - full view

Glossy Privet

Native to China and Korea. Dense canopy provides an effective screen.

Gold Medallion Tree Cassia leptophylla

Cassia leptophylla (Gold Medallian Tree) - full view

Gold Medallion Tree

Native to Brazil. Stunning display of yellow flowers in summer.

Golden Rain Tree Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) - full view

Golden Rain Tree

Native to Asia. Attractive papery fruit capsules.

Griselinia Griselinia littoralis

Griselinia

Native to New Zealand where it grows as high as 50'. Also available in variegated form. Great as a windbreak.

Heath Melaleuca Melaleuca ericifolia

Melaleuca ericifolia (Heath Melaleuca) - full view

Heath Melaleuca

Excellent tree beneath overhead wires. Disease and pest resistant. Attracts birds.

Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Shademaster’

Gleditsia tricanthos (Honeylocust) - full view

Honeylocust

Native to central and eastern North America. Produces few seed pods annually.

Italian Stone Pine Pinus pinea

Pinus pinea (Italian Stone Pine) - full view

Italian Stone Pine

Native to Mediterranean. Source of edible pine nuts.

Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia

Jacaranda mimosifolia (Jacaranda) - full view

Jacaranda

Native to Brazil. Flowers are attractive and attract birds and bees.

Japanese Blueberry Tree Elaeocarpus decipiens

Japanese Blueberry Tree

Native to China, Japan. Attractive foliage with high potential for a street tree in protected microclimates with good fertile soils.

Japanese Flowering Crabapple Malus floribunda ‘Prarie Fire’

Malus floribunda (Japanese Flowering Crabapple) - full view

Japanese Flowering Crabapple

Native to Japan. Many cultivars in existence. Beautiful spring blossoms.

Japanese Maple Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) - full tree

Japanese Maple

Native to Japan, China, and Korea. Beautiful fall color, winter silhouette, and spring leaf budding.

Karo Pittosporum crassifolium

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo) - full view

Karo

Native to New Zealand. Beautiful and fragrant flowers in spring.

Kohuhu, Black Pittosporum Pittosporum tenuifolium

Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohuhu, Black Pittosporum) - full view

Kohuhu, Black Pittosporum

Native to New Zealand. Flowers are fragrant at night.

Lemon Bottlebrush Callistemon citrinus

Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Bottlebrush) - full view

Lemon Bottlebrush

Native to Australia. Spectacular when in full bloom. Very tough tree. Good tree for small spaces; 2'x3' basins; beneath overhead wires. Disease and pest resistant. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Dense canopy attracts other birds as well.

Lemonwood Tree Pittosporum eugeniodes

Pittosporum eugeniodes (Lemonwood Tree) - full view

Lemonwood Tree

Native to New Zealand. Leaves emit a strong lemon smell when crushed.

Linden Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata (Linden) - full view

Linden

Native to Europe. Often used as a shade tree and does well in urban environments.

London Plane Tree Platanus x hispanica ‘Columbia’/ ‘Yarwood’/ ‘Bloodgood’

Platanus x hispanica (London Plane Tree) - full view

London Plane Tree

A beautiful, hardy tree well adapted to harsh urban conditions. A member of the sycamore family.

Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree) - full view

Maidenhair Tree

Native to China, very little native habitat left. Most trees sold at nurseries are male clones. Female seed is smelly, but an Asian delicacy when boiled or roasted. Leaves used in Chinese herbal medicine. Can be used in bonsai.

Mayten Maytenus boaria ‘Green Showers’

A. Maytenus boaria 'Green Showers' (Mayten) - full view

Mayten

Native to Central Chile. Has beautiful, weeping form.

Mediterranean Fan Palm Chamaerops humilis

Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean Fan Palm) - full view

Mediterranean Fan Palm

Native to the Mediterranean. Hardier than other palms.

Mountain She-Oak, Beefwood Allocasuarina verticillata

Allocasuarina verticillata (Mountain She-Oak, Beefwood) - full view

Mountain She-Oak, Beefwood

Native to Australia. Needle-like leaves look similar to pine needles. Good as a windbreak.

Myoporum Myoporum laetum 'Clean n Green'

Myoporum laetum 'Clean n Green' (Myoporum) - full view

Myoporum

Native of New Zealand. Popular Bay Area tree because of tolerances. Current populations are being devastated by recent introduction of Myoporum thrips (Kambothrips myopori). Do not plant susceptible species.

New Zealand Christmas Tree Metrosideros excelsa

Metrosideros excelsus (New Zealand Christmas Tree) - full view

New Zealand Christmas Tree

Native to New Zealand. Excellent choice for coastal neighborhoods; tolerates prevailing winds. Disease and pest resistant.

New Zealand Tea Tree Leptospermum scoparium

Leptospermum scopariumfull (New Zealand Tea Tree) - full view

New Zealand Tea Tree

Native to New Zealand. Profuse, showy flowers in multiple colors.

Olive Tree Olea europaea ‘Majestic Beauty’/ ‘Fruitless’/ ‘Swan Hill’

Olea europaea (Olive Tree) - full view

Olive Tree

Native to the Mediterranean. A tough street tree. Commonly planted varieties 'Wilsonii' and 'Majestic Beauty' bear virtually no fruit. 'Mission' and 'Treeland Low Fruiting' will produce fruit.

Oriental Sweetgum Liquidambar orientalis

Liquidambar orientalis (Oriental Sweetgum) - full view

Oriental Sweetgum

Native to Turkey. Beautiful fall colors.

Pepper Tree Schinus molle

Schinus molle (Pepper Tree) - full view

Pepper Tree

Native to Peru. Often called "California Pepper Tree" because it has naturalized here.

Peppermint Willow Agonis flexuosa

Agonis flexuosa (Peppermint Willow) - full view

Peppermint Willow

Native to Australia. Older trees develop beautiful weeping form. Disease and pest resistant. Crushed leaves smell like peppermint.

Pink Melaleuca Melaleuca nesophila

Pink Melaleuca

Native to Australia. Known for its interesting bark and flowers.

Primrose Tree Lagunaria patersonii

Lagunaria patersonii (Primrose Tree) - full view

Primrose Tree

Native to South Pacific and Australia; related to hibiscus. Blooms best in coastal conditions. Form is less narrow and erect in old age.

Purple Robe Locust Robinia x ambigua 'Purple Robe'

Robinia x ambigua (Purple Rob Locust) - full view

Purple Robe Locust

Hybrid of Robinia ambigua 'Decaisneana' and R. hispida 'Monument'. Known for beautiful flowers and winter silhouette.

Purple-Leaf Plum Prunus cerasifera ‘Krauter Vesuvius’

Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius' (Purple-Leaf Plum) - full view

Purple-Leaf Plum

One of the first trees to bloom in the spring, fragrant flowers. Good tree for 2x3' basins and beneath overhead wires. Attracts bees.

Queen Palm Syagrus romanzoffiana

Syagrus romanzoffianum (Queen Palm) - full view

Queen Palm

Native to Brazil. Handsome flowing fine-textured fronds.

Raywood Ash Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood'

Raywood Ash

Native to South Europe, Western Asia. Fine, delicate-looking tree.

Red Horsechestnut Aesculus carnea

Aesculus carnea (Red Horsechestnut) - full view

Red Horsechestnut

Hybrid between eastern US (Aesculus pavia) and European species (Aesculus hippocastanum). Striking red flowers attract hummingbirds. Good under overhead wires.

Red Ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon ‘Rosea’

Eucalyptus sideroxylon 'Rosea' (Red Ironbark) - full view

Red Ironbark

Native to Australia. Sweet flower nectar is attractive to bees. Beautiful flower display.

Red Maple Acer rubrum

Red Maple

Native to central and eastern United States. Excellent shade tree and fall color for larger areas.

Red-flowering Gum Corymbia ficifolia

Corymbia ficifolia (Red-flowering Gum) - full view

Red-flowering Gum

Native to Australia. Flowers are attractive along with the strong, wide trunk and the dense dark green canopy.

River Birch Betula nigra

Betula nigra (River Birch) - full view

River Birch

Native to eastern United States. Often grows multiple trunks. Attracts birds foraging for food.

Saucer Magnolia Magnolia x soulangiana

Magnolia x soulangiana (Saucer Magnolia) - full view

Saucer Magnolia

Hybrid originating in France. Leaves are lighter green and more delicate than other magnolias.

Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea

Scarlet Oak

Native to eastern United States. Does not get mistletoe as much as other oaks.

Silver Dollar Gum Eucalyptus polyanthemos

Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Silver Dollar Gum) - full view

Silver Dollar Gum

Native to Australia. Tough street tree. Silver, gray green foliage shimmers in the wind. Disease and pest resistant.

Small-Leaf Tristania Tristaniopsis laurina (formerly Tristania laurina)

Tristaniopsis laurina (Small-Leaf Tristania) - full view

Small-Leaf Tristania

Native to eastern Australia. Tough, low-maintenance tree. Develops into a formal-looking shape. Appropriate beneath overhead wires. Disease and pest resistant.

Soapbark Tree Quillaja saponaria

Quillaja saponaria (Soapbark Tree) - full view

Soapbark Tree

Native to Chile. Grows moderately at first, but slows down with age.

Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) - full view

Southern Magnolia

Native to SE United States. Spectacular, long-lasting white, fragrant flowers and attractive foliage make this a very popular street tree. Smaller, slow-growing varieties are appropriate for beneath overhead wires.

Strawberry Tree Arbutus 'Marina'

Arbutus 'Marina' (Strawberry Tree) - full view

Strawberry Tree

Does not tolerate strong winds. Develops thrips, prone to aphids, sticky honeydew, sooty mold and powdery mildew (usually an aesthetic nuisance vs. health issue). Normal for some older leaves to yellow and drop. Fruit can be messy.

Sweet Bay Laurus nobilis 'Saratoga'

Laurus nobilis (Grecian Laurel) - full view

Sweet Bay

The aromatic, dried leaves can be used in cooking as a seasoning. Attracts birds.

Sweet Hakea Hakea suaveolens

Hakea suaveolens (Sweet Hakea) - full view

Sweet Hakea

Native to Australia. Fragrant flowers.

Sweet Michelia Magnolia doltsopa (Michelia doltsopa)

Magnolia doltsopa (Sweet Michelia) - full view

Sweet Michelia

Native to the Himalayas. Provides flower display in winter months, very fragrant. Good tree for 2x3' basins and beneath overhead wires. Formerly named Michelia doltsopa.

Sweetshade Hymenosporum flavum

Hymenosporum flavum (Sweetshade) - full view

Sweetshade

Native to Australia. Flower fragrance is pleasant and attracts birds and bees.

Trident Maple Acer buergeranum

Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple) - Full Tree

Trident Maple

Native to China, Korea, and Japan. Remarkable fall color and stunning winter silhouette.

Victorian Box Pittosporum undulatum

Pittosporum undalatum (Victorian Box) - full view

Victorian Box

Native to Australia. Valued for their foliage and form when allowed to branch naturally. Flowers are very fragrant, like orange blossoms, most noticeable in the evenings. Attracts birds and bees.

Vine Maple Acer circinatum

Vine Maple

Native to northern California to British Columbia. Understory tree. Native alternative to Japanese maple.

Washington Hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum

Washington Hawthorn

Native to southeastern US. Attractive changing display all year long, reflects seasonal changes. Good tree for 2x3' basins, beneath overhead wires. Attracts birds.

Weeping Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis

Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush) - full view

Weeping Bottlebrush

Native to Australia. Excellent tree for narrow sidewalks; 2x3' basins; beneath overhead wires. Flowers attract hummingbirds. More upright form than Callistemon citrinus.

Western Redbud Cercis occidentalis

Cercis occidentalis (Western Redbud) - full view

Western Redbud

Native to California. Resistant to oak root fungus. Flowers before leaves appear.

White Ash Fraxinus americana

Fraxinus americana (White Ash) - full view

White Ash

Native to eastern United States. Needs a large area to grow. Great shade tree in the summer.

White Mulberry Morus alba “fruitless”

White Mulberry

Cultivar of fruiting white mulberry native to China. Can be pollarded.

Windmill Palm Trachycarpus fortunei

Tracheocarpus fortunei (Windmill Palm) - full view

Windmill Palm

Native to China. Great for narrow spaces.

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