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New aad Little Known Trees
Suitable for Southern
California Avenues

AGRiC. DEPT.

1911 POMONA COLLEGE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC BOTANY, VOL. I, No. 4, DECEMBER.

New and Little Known Trees Suitable for
Southern California Avenues

DR. C. F. FRANCESCHI
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

Southern California has started at last to build good roads, and there is no
reason whatever why we should not have them as perfect as any in the world,
because we are able to employ the best talent and the best materials, while our
exceptionally equable climatic conditions are ideal for the maintenance of good
roads.

If we need perfect roads we also need them to be beautiful, and it is obvious
that more careful attention is going to be bestowed on the selection of trees which
will prove best adapted either for ornament or for shade.

Everybody in Southern California is aware of the fact that we are able to
draw upon almost any part of the world for ornamental trees, just as we do for
all sorts of shrubs and other plants. Consequently, there will be much too many
for this especial purpose. In this paper I am going to mention only such trees
as have already proven themselves particularly desirable for planting along
avenues or roadways of considerable length, and between sixty to one hundred
feet wide.

The selection of trees best adapted for planting on streets in the residence
sections of our towns is obviously subject to more special requirements and
restrictions, and will not be treated in this paper. The question whether in
Southern California deciduous trees must entirely be supplanted by evergreens
I am not going to discuss, believing that either one class or the other might be
preferable under different conditions.

As I understand it, the beauty of an avenue of trees resides principally in
their uniform growth and in each individual tree being allowed to display its
particular character and features, and not to become entangled with its neighbors.

Along such avenues, sixty to one hundred feet wide, and which, very likely,
will not have cemented or asphalted sidewalks, trees which will eventually attain
sixty to one hundred feet in height will not be objectionable, even if they grow a
very big trunk.

Native Evergreen Trees

The following California native trees have already been planted on a more
or less extensive scale and are sure to prove satisfactory:

Prunus integrifolia, "Island Cherry," "Islay," by some botanists considered
to be only a form of the "mountain" or "wild cherry," but a native (exclusively)
of Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and Santa Catalina islands. Of rapid and pyramidal
growth, the glossy foliage much varying in shape and size, but never holly-like.
Will thrive in almost any kind, of soil, and stand well heavy winds. May attain
sixty to eighty feet; should be planted twenty-five to fifty feet apart.

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Quercus agrifolia, the common "California Live Oak," will grow fast enough
in tolerably good soil, and with plenty of moisture at the roots; in poor and dry
soil will develop slower but will attain large size and a great age, as shown by
the huge trees among the sandstone boulders on the ridge at Montarioso. May
attain sixty feet, or over ; being of spreading habit, should be planted not less
than forty feet apart.

Quercus chrysolepis, "Golden-leaf Oak," "Canyon Live Oak," generally found
higher up in the mountains than the preceding, and attaining about same size,
but not such a fast grower.

Lyonothamnus ftoribundus var. asplenifolius, "Palo Fierro" or "Ironwood"
of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands ; of regularly pyramidal shape, very con-
spicuous for its aromatic, fern-like foliage, and large umbels of white, strong
scented flowers. May attain fifty feet and over, should be planted twenty or
twenty-five feet apart.

Umbellularia californica, "Native Bay" or "Laurel," of dense, columnar
growth, quite heavily foliaged, the strong scented, deep green leaves persisting for
several years. Will not succeed far from water, may attain sixty to eighty feet,
and occasionally much more, like the gigantic specimen at Cathedral Oaks, five
miles north of Santa Barbara. Should be planted twenty-five or thirty feet apart.

Chamaecyparis larvsoniana, "Lawson Cypress." Surely one of the most de-
sirable among conifers, on account of its feathery branches and pleasant green
color. Will succeed even in poor soil and with little moisture, but much better
under more favorable conditions. To retain its full beauty, not unlike most other
conifers, its lower branches ought to be allowed to droop to the ground, and
therefore it should not be planted at less than forty feet. There is no doubt that
the most picturesque effect will be obtained if conifers are used only on sloping
ground, in which position they will also thrive much better.

Libocedrus decurrens, "Incense Cedar," another very tall native conifer,
more columnar in habit than the preceding, and not such a fast grower. Could be
planted twenty-five to thirty feet apart. Not of feathery effect, but the emerald
green of its foliage is very attractive.

Exotic Evergreen Trees

A certain number of conifers belong to this section, which have been planted
more or less in our gardens and parks, but hardly at all for avenues.

Araucaria excelsa, the "Norfolk Island Pine" or "Star Pine," leads the list
for its wonderful beauty and fast growth. I do not know of any other tree, no
matter from whatever country, possessing such a distinctiveness of character, and
such a solemnity of outline. But it could not be used for avenues under one
hundred feet wide, and should be planted from sixty to eighty feet apart. It is
not at all particular about soil, as shown in Santa Barbara where most numerous
and most beautiful specimens are growing, both in the rich moist soil down town
and on the dry hard-pan in the upper part of town.

Araucaria bidrvillii, the "Bunya-bunya" of Queensland, will, at least in this
country, grow not as tall and much slower than the preceding, and it appears to
need also deeper soil and more moisture. But it is most impressive for its dense

POMONA COLLEGE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC BOTANY 203

pyramids of a dark green color. Should be planted not less than fifty feet apart.

Cunninghamia sinensis, from China, offers about the same outline as A.
bidwillii, but with branches more drooping, the foliage of distinctly glaucous color.
It will stand more cold and more heat, but needs deep soil and plenty of moisture
at the roots, otherwise losing its lower branches and looking very unsightly. The
finest specimens that I know of are at the Tevis place near Bakersfield, where
the range of temperature is pretty wide, but soil is deep and moist. Plant fifty
feet apart.

Cedrus deodara, or "Himalayan Cedar," is well known in gardens, but has
never been much used as an avenue tree. I know only of the Santa Rosa avenue
in Altadena, which is certainly very striking, but the effect is spoiled by the avenue
not being wide enough and by the trees having been set much too close together.
It should not be less than forty feet.

Cupressus sempervirens, the "Italian" or "Oriental Cypress," has been, of
late much used (and abused) in California gardens. It is sure to make splendid
•venues, like those of the most ancient and more beautiful villas in Italy, but one
must not forget that in rich soil and with plenty of moisture, it is sure to lose its
character and "to grow fat," its lateral branches spreading out under the over-
weight of foliage ; also that the full effect of a cypress avenue cannot be obtained
in only a few years. The spreading form of the Italian cypress, much despised
in California, will make splendid trees, even in the poorest soil, having the same
outline and offering the same scenic effect as firs and spruces, which are an
impossibility here. If planted in rich and moist soil Cupressus horizonthalis will
be at its best, displaying more fully its above mentioned character. The "columnar"
form can be planted as close as sixteen or twenty feet, the "spreading" one will
require at least twice as much.

Cupressus guadalupensis, "Blue Cypress" of Guadalupe island, not over
seventy feet in height, and normally of a peculiar "ovoidal" outline, at least up to
a certain age. Particularly recommendable for dry, rocky locations, growing
naturally upon disintegrated lava currents. Quite "blue" in the young age, and
its bark peeling off, just like cherry trees and Araucaria cunninghamii. With age
it is much liable to vary, both in color and in outline, as I had the opportunity
of remarking when in Guadalupe island many years ago. Plant from twenty-five
to forty feet apart.

Cupressus arizonica, (Figure 80), from the mountains in northern Arizona,
will retain its silvery color, better than the preceding. It will grow not quite
as tall and will spread more at the base, while it will stand much more cold and
any amount of drought. Plant from thirty to forty feet apart.

Australian Eucalyptus are recommendable for avenues, including the common
E. globulus, "Blue Gum," which to this date has been used along roadways,
probably more extensively than any other tree but rather as a most effective wind-
break than for beautifying the same. The following kinds appear to be more
particularly recommendable for avenues :

Eucalyptus citriodora, "Lemon-scented Gum," quite unique for its smooth,
ivory white, tapering trunk, rising to one hundred and fifty feet, and for its

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comparatively small but very regular crown, from which such delicious perfume
exhales in foggy weather. Should be planted thirty to forty feet apart.

Eucalyptus rostrata, "Red Gum," almost as fast a grower as the "Blue
Gum," and having the advantage of standing more cold in the young stage, and
of being more graceful in shape and more uniform when full grown. Plant
about forty feet apart.

Figure 80. Cupressus arizonica on its dry native heath.

Eucalyptus cornuta, "Yate," up to eighty feet high; highly recommendable
not only for its standing saline and alkaline soil better than any other, but also for
the very peculiar shining and plumy effect of its foliage. Should be planted at
about forty feet apart.

Eucalyptus botryoides, "Bastard Mahogany, up to one hundred feet; a
handsome, symmetrically shaped tree, standing drought well. Plant at forty feet.

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Eucalyptus saligna, "Grey Gum," up to one hundred feet, of weeping effect
like the "weeping willow/' leaves also willow shaped. Plant at about forty feet.

There are also a number of species of Ficus, "rubber trees," from different
countries which are particularly suitable for wide avenues.

Ficus macrophylla, "Moreton Bay Fig," is the most widely known, and it
makes a . magnificent tree, as one can judge from the few large specimens which
escaped destruction during the wonderful extension of building in our Southern
California cities. This should not be spaced under seventy-five to eighty feet,
and it should be excluded from locations subject to heavy winds which may break
too easily its heavily laden limbs.

Ficus rubiginosa or australis, also from Australia, will grow not as large. It
has also smaller leaves, and it will stand more cold; will also stand the wind much
better. Plant from forty to fifty feet apart.

Ficus bellingeri, from Queensland, appears to be a decided improvement on
the preceding, but there are no large enough specimens as yet to form a positive
j udgment.

Ficus retusa, from India and Southern China (synonym F. nitida), is prob-
ably the species which has gained the widest reputation as an avenue tree. Much
planted at Hongkong, in Algeria and in Sicily; there used to be some fine speci-
mens in the center of Los Angeles, which had to give room to sky scrapers.
It appears not to grow as fast as F. macrophylla; its foliage is thick and somewhat
in the shape of the "strawberry guava." It will need good soil, plenty of moisture
and plenty of heat to develop in the proper way. Plant at about forty feet apart.

Hymenosporum flavum, Queensland, up to one hundred feet; related to the
Pittosporums , but finer than any of them. Fast and pyramidal growing, its
branches slightly drooping and laden in spring with a profusion of jasmine shaped
and jasmine scented, yellow flowers. Not at all particular about quality of soil,
but not recommended for very dry places. Plant at thirty or forty feet apart.

Pittosporum rhombifolium, Queensland, up to eighty feet high; probably the
tallest and the handsomest of all kinds introduced so far, not only for its very
regular pyramidal shape, and peculiar foliage, but also for the great profusion
of its yellowish white, fragrant flowers in summer, and of its shining bright yellow
berries which persist almost all winter. Plant at thirty or forty feet apart.

Quercus suber, the "cork oak" of the Mediterranean basin. It has about the
general outline of our native live oak, but will make faster growth, and is also
interesting for its bark. Plant forty feet apart.

Sterculia gregori, (Figure 81), from Western Australia; the very best of all
kinds of Sterculia or Brachychiton, "bottle trees," "flame trees," introduced so
far, the finest specimen to be seen at Alhambra. Clothed down to the ground with
glossy, coriaceous foliage which persists for many years, and sets out well the
heavy bunches of salmon colored flowers which are produced for several months.
May attain one hundred feet in height. Plant at forty or fifty feet.

Pircunia dioica, Argentina, the "Ombu" of the Pampas, "Bella Sombra" of
the Spaniards who introduced it to Europe. In good soil will beat almost all other
trees for quick growth and for beautiful shade, but will also stand drought won-

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derfully well. It will in time build huge buttresses at the base, like those of many
species of tropical Ficus. Should be planted about fifty feet apart.

Tipuana speciosa, Argentina, there called "Tipa," and considered one of the
finest among native trees. May attain one hundred feet, and builds a straight

Figure 81. Sterculia gregori at Alhambra, California.

trunk, crowned by feathery foliage of light green color and drooping bunches of
yellow flowers. Plant about forty feet apart.

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207

Dendrocalamus latiftorus, from the island of Formosa, "upright giant
bamboo." For low lands, and even where moisture might be excessive for other
trees, clumps of this giant bamboo will make magnificent avenues, in the same way
as they will make the most efficient wind breaks (if planted closer together). Does
well also on drier ground, as can be seen in Montecito, etc. For avenues should
be planted thirty to fifty feet apart.

Deciduous Trees

Acer macrophyllum, California. This has broader leaves than any other kind
of maples that are found scattered on the northern hemisphere, and it is certainly
one of the finest. In order to grow well and to retain its foliage until late it will
need plenty of moisture at the roots, as otherwise the leaves will begin to drop in
August or earlier. Same remark applies to other deciduous trees. This grows up

Figure 82. Cedrela fissilis planted in 1897.

to eighty feet, and should be planted thirty to forty feet apart.

Quercus lobata, California, "Valley Oak," "Roble" of the native Californians.
In deep soil and with plenty of moisture this makes a truly magnificent, widely
spreading tree, but could not be used under different conditions. May attain sixty
or eighty feet ; should be planted eighty to one hundred feet apart.

Platanus racemosa, native "Plane" or "Sycamore." While the oldest trees are
often distorted in the most extraordinary ways, young trees can be easily trained
to any desired shape, and this kind has a beauty of its own unrivalled by other
deciduous trees. It may attain sixty feet or more, and should be set at least thirty
feet apart.

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Fraxinus velutina, "Arizona Ash." Grows fast and very symmetrical in
shape, with branches gracefully drooping, and it has the great merit of growing
well in alkaline soil where hardly any other tree will do. Grows up to sixty feet
or more. Should be planted thirty to forty feet apart.

Cedrela fissilis, (Figure 82), Paraguay and Brazil, "Brazilian cedar wood."
For avenues where not much shade is required this is sure to be a first class
deciduous tree, its trunk rising up straight to a considerable height without branch-
ing, the branches never very heavy and forming a symmetrical head. Finest
specimen to be seen in my old garden on State street in Santa Barbara which I
planted in 1897, and must be now about sixty feet high. Timber is also very
valuable, much like "Cuban" or "Spanish Cedar," Cedrela odorata. Should be
planted thirty to forty feet apart.

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