Self-Guided Tree Walk: North Palo Alto

Tree Selection by Michael Young, ISA certified arborist with Urban Tree Management and faculty at Foothill College Horticultural Department
Updated by Jana Dilley and Marty Deggeller, summer 2003
Additional information gathered from Sunset Western Garden Book, Conspicuous California Plants, and Plants that Merit Attention - Trees.

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The North Palo Alto Tree Walk begins at Johnson Park, at the corner of Hawthorne Street and Waverley Street

1a. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana)
~ 335 Bryant Street, planter at front entrance
Often erroneously called a tulip tree, this deciduous magnolia is typically planted as a lawn ornament because of its showy white to pink to purplish-red flowers.

1b. Michelia (Michelia doltsopa)
~ 335 Bryant Street, left side of building
Showy flowers are delightfully fragrant and long-lasting. Several were planted in 1995 along Oregon Expressway, and another nice specimen can be found in front of the Carriage House at Gamble Gardens. It is closely related to the magnolias throughout Palo Alto and is native to Tibet.

2. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
~ 224 Bryant Street, front yard right of driveway
This large, well-formed, wide spreading, multi-trunked maple is lovely standing alone. They are also attractive in groves, as can be found under the redwoods at Palo Alto’s Main Library.

3. Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
~ 318 Hawthorne Street, front yard, left of driveway
It looks like an incense cedar, but this tree, native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, is closely related to the coast redwood. It has the distinction of having the most massive trunk in the world. At higher altitudes trunk diameter can reach 30 feet.

4. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
~ 197 Bryant Street, on Hawthorne Street, in backyard behind hedge
A relative of the magnolia and native to the Eastern United States. Fast growing to 60 to 80 feet. This is a good, large shade tree, so be sure to give it ample room, about 40 feet, to spread its branches.

5. English Hawthorne (Crataegus laevigata)
~ 275 Hawthorne Street, street trees on Hawthorne
A small tree that grows moderately fast to 20 feet. The distinctive red berries form in summer and attract birds and bees.

6. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
~ 179 Bryant Street, 2 street trees
This is a healthy pair of trees, probably due to their close proximity to a well-watered lawn.

7. Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)
~ 275 Hawthorne Street, apartment building across from 177 Bryant Street—tree is between apartment building and driveway
A graceful tree, this one has a near-perfect form. It grows well in this area and commonly forms multiple trunks. Native to the foothills of the Western Himalayas.

8. European White Birch (Betula pendula)
~ 165 Bryant Street, stand in front yard
Delicate and lacey, this popular tree needs ample moisture; it does not do well in drought conditions. It is also susceptible to oak root fungus.

9. Mayten (Maytenus boaria)
~ 155 Bryant Street, 2 trees - left of front door and left of driveway
The beautiful weeping form makes the mayten a good substitute for a weeping willow. It has a similar appearance without the problems. It needs good drainage and likes moisture.

10. Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
~ 125 Bryant Street, front yard
Native to Brazil, it has delicate foliage and stunning lavender blue blossoms visible from April to September.

11. White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)
~ 310 Palo Alto Avenue, street tree on far right
A moisture-loving tree with roots that often lift sidewalks. This one is planted in a confining site but close enough to the creek to contribute to its good health.

12. Hollywood Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Kaizuka’)
~ 320 Palo Alto Avenue, both corners of building
You might call this a “retro” tree. It was very popular in the 60’s but fell out of favor in later years. As this tree matures, its twisting form becomes more interesting.

13. Fern Pine (Afrocarpus elongatus)
~ 374 Palo Alto Avenue, front left corner
Formerly called Podocarpus gracilior, this tree is native to East Africa and will grow to 60 feet. Among the cleanest and most pest-free choices for street or lawn tree, patio or flower bed tree, hedge, big shrub, or container plant. Can suffer occasional frost damage.

14. Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
~ 390 Palo Alto Avenue, 2 trees in front yard
Although truly an evergreen, its leaves persist for only one year then fall from the tree when new growth starts in the spring. The limb overhanging the house has been cabled for added security.

15a. Dracaena (Cordyline australis)
~ 101 Waverley Street, street tree on Palo Alto Avenue
This uncommonly large specimen tolerates drought, poor drainage, any soil conditions, winds, sun, or shade and on top of that it is considered low-maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning to eliminate multiple trunks and old fronds or flowers.

15b. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
~ 101 Waverley Street, backyard, visible from Palo Alto Avenue, tree farthest left
Environmental conditions influence the appearance of this tree. Where summers are dry it is dense with shorter spaces between branches. Where moisture or shade are abundant it appears thin and gawky. Notice the Lady Banks’ rose (Rosa banksiae) climbing the tree.

15c. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
~ 101 Waverley Street, near back porch (visible from Palo Alto Avenue)
Planted over a hundred years ago, this graceful, slow-growing, hardy tree is often used as a street tree in Palo Alto. Attractive any season. Plant only male trees, the fruit from female trees has an offensive smell.

15d. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
~ 101 Waverley Street, corner of Waverley Street and Palo Alto Avenue, left of driveway
Young trees grow very fast, sometimes 4 to 6 feet a year, ultimately reaching a height of 80 to 90 feet. The dawn redwood differs from the coast redwood in that cones are much smaller, the light, bright green leaves are soft to the touch, and it is deciduous.

16. Chinese Hackberry (Celtis sinensis)
~ 120 Waverley Street, 2 street trees
Considered a low-maintenance tree, it has deep, non-invasive roots that rarely lift sidewalks. Birds find the berries delectable.

This publication was funded by the California ReLeaf 2003 Capacity-Building Grant Program and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.