I have been driving around our 1950s to 1970s neighborhoods for the past month looking to no avail for a quality specimen of this large...

If you are unfamiliar with Southern magnolias, then you are unaware of its deep ties to the American South. The genus, Magnolia, honors...

The coast live oak is among other tree species noted for their size, often achieving heritage status within communities... witness trees...

There are three Arbutus species that every California landscape architect should know: A. menziesii, A. 'Marina,' and this one, A. unedo...

Walking under the Liquidambar on Waverly Street in Palo Alto was a treat in autumn. As an adolescent, back when students walked to...

At West Valley College, this tree provides graceful elegance and light shade along the North Walk. The allée or formal row of trees...

Smokin'! This is the first word that comes to mind when I see this unusual plant in bloom. What could be an ordinary large shrub or...

X-Plants are not spin-offs from the X-Men. The "x" in front of or within the scientific name refers to pairing (crossing) at least two...

What was once an exotic rarity found in greenhouses or temperate San Francisco's Victorian landscapes, sago palms have been making their...

Does the world need another oleander? When I ask myself this question, I immediately think of my time attending Monticello's Historic...

Meet Miss Agnes. She's "vital to chastity." That's how I remember her name...both the plant's botanical and common names. Students...

Summer is here, and I love chocolate, so let's dive right into a tree that does not receive too much attention. Meet the velvety...

Albizias fly in and out of favor as the wind blows, or more succinctly, whenever we find California's droughts in the news. Their...

Acer rubrum, or red maple, is a highly sought after tree for fall color...if living in New England is your thing. The color is intense...

If there was ever a botanical plant name to cause confusion, it is this one. This is of particular consequence to me, because West...

Big leaves, big tree, at least that is how I remember this tree from my parent's property when they lived in Washington State. The...

There is potential with this native plant! Today, landscape architects seek opportunities to utilize native species wherever they...

Another maple that I have not specified until recently is quickly becoming a street tree alternative to more common maple and sycamore...

The trident maple is aptly named for the leaf form that stands out from other maple species. Think of a simplified Canadian maple leaf. ...

Ages ago, I briefly lived in a warehouse on the Carquinez Strait. The town of 300 was the remnants of an old ferry crossing to Benicia. ...