Greenprint Tree Guide - Sacramento Tree Foundation

Greenprint Tree Guide
FOR TH E GR E ATE R
S ACR A M E N TO R EGION
The Sacramento Tree Foundation is leading
the campaign to plant 5 million trees in our region.
Greenprint is our initiative for making it happen.
Of course, we can’t do it alone. By planting trees,
you’ll be doing your part to clean the air, save
energy and build healthy neighborhoods.
It’s Easier than you Think
• Learnhowtreesmakeyouandyourneighborhoodhealthier.
• Selecttherighttreesforyourhomeorworkplace.
• Followthesimpleplantinginstructionsatthebackofthisguide.
• Visitsactree.comtoaddyourtreestoour5MillionTree
Counterandlearnabouttreecare.
Plantingtreesisn’tjustaboutchangingthelandscape.It’s
aboutchanginglives.
TheSacramentoregion’sfiveAirQualityDistrictsrecognize
thattreesareveryimportanttoyourhealth,sotheypartnered
withtheSacramentoTreeFoundationtobringyouthisguide.
Why Plant a Tree?
Weallappreciatetreesfortheirbeauty,butthereareplentyof
othergoodreasonstoplanttrees.
The air we breathe.Treesarenature’swayofcleaningthe
air.Treeleavesabsorbpollutants,produceoxygenandmake
cleanerairforustobreathe.
The water we drink.Treescleanandstorestormwater,
whichhelpskeeppollutantsoutofthestreamsandrivers.
The comfort we need. Treesreduceenergyneedsbyshading
ourhomesandbusinesses,keepinguscoolandcomfortablein
thesummermonths.
The way we live.Treesbringpeopletogether.Theycreate
socialspaceswherepeoplegather.Neighborhoodswithgreen
spacesaresafe,welcoming,andfullofvitality.
The Right Tree in the Right Place
Allofthetreesinthisguidewereselectedbytreeexpertsfor
theirbeautyaswellastheirabilitytothriveinourregion.They
werechosenbasedontheirsuitabilityforourclimate,disease
andpestresistance,soiltolerance,maintenancerequirements,
waterusage,branchstrengthandlongevity.
Still,noteverytreeisappropriateineverysetting.The
descriptionsinthisguidewillhelpyouselecttherighttreefor
therightplace.
Alwaysselectatreebasedonyourparticularsiteconditions.
Beforeyouplant,findout:
• Howmuchwaterisavailableforthetree?
• Isthelocationsunnyorshaded?
• Whattypeofsoilwillthetreebeplantedin?
• Isthereroomtoplantasufficientdistancefromsidewalks,
driveways,pools,foundationsandothertrees?
(Seepage22forappropriateplantingdistances.)
sizes.
TheGreenprintTreeGuidegroupstreesintothreesizes.
Large Trees—46feetandhigher
Medium Trees—26to45feethigh
Small Trees —upto25feethigh
Whenplanting,thinkbig.Mostoftheworkperformedby
treestocleanourairisdonebytheleaves;largetreesprovide
almost50timesthebenefitsofsmalltrees.Werecommend
plantingthelargesttreethatcanfitcomfortablyinyour
landscape.
How to Use This Guide
Thecommonandscientificnamesforeachtreearegivenalong
withadescriptionofitsfoliageandgrowthhabits.
Use the icons to identify the best tree for your site conditions:
Air Quality
Considerthebenefitstoairqualitywhenselectingatree.Twostarandthree-startreesarebestforcleaningtheairandreducing
unhealthylevelsofsmoginourcommunities.

=Good=Better =Best
Water Needs
Bewatersmart:choosewater-wisetrees.
=Lowusage
=Mediumusage
=Highusage
(caution)
W UCOLS = WaterUseClassificationofLandscapeSpecies
AGuidetotheWaterNeedsofLandscapePlants
FromUniversityofCaliforniaCooperativeExtension
Other Icons
=Deciduous(losesitsleavesduringthewinter)
=Evergreen(keepsitsleavesyearround)
Evergreentreesaregreatatfilteringairpollutionfrom
vehicles.Plantingevergreensbetweenyourhome,school
orworkplaceandabusyroadwayisanexcellentwayto
cleantheair.
NATI V E =Californianativetree
Althoughthenativeoaktreesonthislistaremarkedwith
justoneortwostarsforairquality,theyarecriticalto
restoringoakwoodlands.Ifyourlandscapeislargeenough,
plantnativeoakstore-createthisimportanthabitat.
=FreeshadetreeavailabletoSMUDcustomers
CalltheSacramentoTreeFoundationat
(916)924-8733x121tomakeanappointmentwith
with
acommunityforesterwhowillhelpyouselectand
siteyourfreeshadetree(s).
Have questions about selecting your tree?
[email protected](916)924-TREE(8733)
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L A RGE T R E E S
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American linden :: Tilia americana
Lightyellowflowersinspring.Focusonpruningwhileyoung.
Foliage:glossygreen/yellow

L A rGE
bigleaf maple :: Acer macrophyllum
Fastgrowing.Red-brownbarkandsmall,yellowflowers.
Likesnativeriparianareas.
Foliage:green/gold

L A rGE NATI V E
blue oak :: Quercus douglasii
Extremelyslowgrowing.Verydroughtandheattolerant.
Foliage:Grayblue/notshowyinfall

L A rGE NATI V E
bottle tree :: Brachychiton populneus
Dramaticuprightform.Moderatelyweakbranchstructurecan
beminimizedwithselectivepruningwhenyoung.Fuzzyseeds
canbeaskinirritantifhandled.Nottolerantofheavyclaysoils.
Foliage:glossy,mediumgreen

L A rGE
bowhall maple Acer rubrum ‘Bowhall’
Dense,uprightpyramidalformmakesagoodscreen.Prune
toavoidbrokenbranches.Broadenswithage.
Foliage:mediumgreen/yellowred,orange

L A rGE
burr oak :: Quercus macrocarpa
Hugetree,oftenaswideorwiderthanitistall.Deeply
furrowed,lightgraybarkiscommon.
Foliage:darkgreen/copper,yellow

L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/best
5
L A RGE T R E E S
Calabrian pine :: Pinus brutia
Cancoveranextensiveareawithitsspreadingcrown,3-inch
conesmatureinwinter.Toleratesheat,windanddryconditons.
Foliage:darkgreenneedles

L A rGE
California incense cedar :: Calocedrus decurrens
Prefershigherelevations.Scented,flatspraysoffoliage.
Foliage:scale-like,mediumgreen

L A rGE NATI V E
California laurel :: Umbellularia californica
Aromaticevergreenoftengrowswithmultipletrunks
creatingafull,roundedshape.
Foliage:darkgreen/notshowy

L A rGE NATI V E
California sycamore :: Platanus racemosa
Stout.Willgrowtallerinurbanconditons.Somewhat
irregulargrowthhabit.
Foliage:yellowgreen/brown

L A rGE NATI V E
Camphor :: Cinnamomum camphora
Large,spreadingtreerequiresopenspacesorbigyards.
Goodstructurewithage.
Foliage:glossygreen

L A rGE
Canary island pine :: Pinus canariensis
Doesnottolerateclaysoils.Redbarkandirregularlookuntil
itmaturesintoaroundcrown.
Foliage:blueordarkgreenneedles

6
L A rGE
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L A RGE T R E E S
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Chestnut-leaf oak :: Quercus castaneifolia
Vigorousgrower.Bitteracornsdonotattractwildlife.
Foliage:darkglossygreen/yellowbrown

L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Chinese wingnut :: Pterocarya stenoptera
Large,fastgrowing.6-to12-inchseedclusters.
Foliage:lightgreeninsummer/notshowyinfall

L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Coast live oak :: Quercus agrifolia
Droughttolerant.Extremelyvariableinleafformand
growthhabit.
Foliage:darkgreen/nofallcolor

L A rGE NATI V E
Coast redwood :: Sequoia sempervirens
Doesbestinfoggyenvironmentsandwhenlowerbranches
areretained.Losesoldneedlesinsummer.
Foliage:darkgreen/notshowy

L A rGE NATI V E
Columnar red maple :: Acer rubrum x freemani
‘Armstrong’
Compactcrownandupwardreachingbranches.Prefers
evenlymoistsoil.
Foliage:mediumgreen/yellowred,orange

L A rGE
Columnar Red Norway maple :: Acer platanoides
‘CrimsonSentry’
Prefersfoothillclimates.Providesdenseshade.
Foilage:darkpurplespringtosummer,darkgreenmidsummer,yellowfall

L A rGE
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/best
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L A RGE T R E E S
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Cork oak :: Quercus suber
Verydrought-tolerant.Donotoverwater.Heavy,corkbark.
Foliage:darkgreenwithgrayunderside/notshowy

L A rGE
Dawn redwood :: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dense,pyramidaldeciduousconifer.Conesare1¾inch.
Goodinlargeareasandplantedingroves.
Foliage:brightgreen/brown

L A rGE
Deodar cedar :: Cedrus deodara
Fastgrowingwithdarkgrayfurrowedbark.Toleratesheavy
claysoils.
Foliage:bluegreenormediumgreen

L A rGE
Douglas fir :: Pseudotsuga menziesii
Verylargeconifernativetocoastalforests.Longlivedwitha
resinoussmelltothefoliage,similartopinetrees.
Foliage:darkgreenneedlelikeleaves/notshowyinfall

L A rGE NATI V E
No water use data in
W UCOLS
European hackberry :: Celtis australis
Largeanddroughttolerant.Greatquantitiesofsmalldry
berriesinsomeyears.
Foliage:darkgreen/yellow

L A rGE
Hardy rubber tree :: Eucommia ulmoides
Largewithfragrantleaves.Smalldryfruitandstrong
branches.Notsuitableforclayorsandysoils.
Foliage:darkglossygreen

8
L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
L A RGE T R E E S
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Holly oak :: Quercus ilex
Veryhardywithstrongbranching.
Foliage:usuallydarkgreen,maybegrayishgreen/not
showyinfall

L A rGE
interior live oak :: Quercus wislizenii
Droughttolerant.
Foliage:tipgrowthbronze,turnsmediumgreen/notshowy

L A rGE NATI V E
London plane :: Platanus X acerifolia
Fastgrowingwithopenbranchingandattractivebark.
Toleratesmostsoils,smog,dustandreflectedheat.
Foliage:lightgreen/yellow-brown

L A rGE
Maidenhair tree :: Ginkgo biloba
Goodlawntreewithinterestingleafshape.Malevarietyhas
nofruit.Tolerantofsmog.
Foliage:mediumgreen/gold

L A rGE
Mountain silverbell :: Halesia monticola
Drought-tolerant.Lowbranchingwithroundedcrown.
Whiteflowersinspring.2-inchfruitinfall.Prefersloam
soils.
Foliage:darkyellowishgreen/yellow

L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Narrow Zelkova :: Zelkova serrata ‘Musashino’
Largevarietywithcolumnargrowthhabit.
Foliage:deepgreen/showygolden

L A rGE
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/best
9
L A RGE T R E E S
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Oregon ash :: Fraxinus latifolia
Growswellinareaswithstandingwaterinwinter.
Foliage:lightgreen/gold

L A rGE NATI V E
Ponderosa pine :: Pinus ponderosa
Recommendedformassplantingsandshelterbelts.
6-inchcones.
Foliage:darktoyellowishgreen

L A rGE NATI V E
Red maple :: Acer rubrum
Tolerantofairpollution.Deepredflowersevidentinspring.
Foliage:mediumgreen/red,orange,yellow

L A rGE
Red oak :: Quercus rubra
Adaptabletree.Toleratesmoderatelycompactedsoils.
Foliage:mediumgreen/red,veryshowy

L A rGE
River birch :: Betula nigra
Attractivepeelingbark.Small,cone-likefruitinspring.
Foliage:darkglossygreen/yellow

L A rGE
Sawtooth oak :: Quercus acutissima
Large,pyramidalshape.Brownleavesmayhangonintowinter.
Foliage:glossygreen/yellow

10
L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
L A RGE T R E E S
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Scarlet oak :: Quercus coccinea
Excellentlawntreewithopenbranchinghabit.
Foliage:glossygreen/scarlet,yellow

L A rGE
Shumard oak :: Quercus shumardii
Roundedcanopywithopen,spreadingshape.Thriveswith
poordrainage.Acornsattractwildlife.
Foliage:darkgreen/showyorange,red

L A rGE
Silver linden :: Tilia tomentosa
Undersidesofleavesarecoveredindensewhitehair.
Foliage:green/yellow

L A rGE
Southern live oak :: Quercus virginiana
Wide,sprawlingtreeprovidesdenseshade.Durableandlong
lived.Needsregularpruningwhenyoung.
Foliage:mediumgreen/notshowy

L A rGE
Southern magnolia :: Magnolia grandiflora
Large,fragrantwhiteflowers.Large,leatheryleavescanbea
litterproblem.Nottolerantofclaysoils.
Foliage:glossydarkgreen

L A rGE
Triumph elm :: Ulmus japonica x wilsoniana ‘Triumph’
Vase-shapedcrownstructure.
Foliage:glossygreen/yellow

L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/best
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L A RGE T R E E S
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Tulip tree :: Liriodendron tulipifera
Broadandpyramidalform.Greenish-yellow,tulip-like
flowersinlatespring.
Foliage:lightgreen/bronze,gold

L A rGE
Turkey oak :: Quercus cerris
Barkoftenstreakedorangenearthebaseofoldertrees.
Foliage:darkgreen/yellowbrown,notshowy

L A rGE
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Valley oak :: Quercus lobata
CommonnativeintheSacramentoarea.Veryheatand
droughttolerant.
Foliage:glossymediumgreen/yellowtolightorange

L A rGE NATI V E
White fir :: Abies concolor
Toleratesheat,pollutionanddrought.4-to6-inchcones
growupwardonthebranches.
Foliage:bluishgreen

L A rGE NATI V E
Willow oak :: Quercus phellos
Oneofthefastestgrowingoaks.Pyramidalshapewhen
young.Roundedcanopyinolderspecimens.
Foliage:mediumgreen/yellow

L A rGE
No water use data in
Zelkova :: Zelkova serrata
Barkturnsgrayandmottledwithage.
Foliage:deepgreen/copper,red

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L A rGE
W UCOLS
M E DI U M T R E E S
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Afghan pine :: Pinus eldarica
Cancoveranextensiveareawithitsspreadingcrown.3-inch
conesmatureinwinter.Toleratesextremeheat,coldandwind.
Foliage:darkgreenneedles

MEdIUM
Aleppo pine :: Pinus halepensis
Interesting,deeplyfissuredbarkwhenmature.Tolerates
extremeheat,cold,andwind.
Foliage:lightgreenneedles

MEdIUM
American hophornbeam :: Ostrya virginiana
Cangrowindry,rockysoils,butprefersadequatemoisture.
Gracefulhabit.Workswellasascreen.
Foliage:lightgreen/brightyellow

MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
California buckeye :: Aesculus californica
Big-leafed.Largefragrantflowers.2-to3-inchroundfruit.
Conserveswaterinsummerbygoingdormant.
Foliage:lightgreen/browninsummer

MEdIUM NATI V E
Capital pear :: Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’
Hardywithnarrowbranching,columnarform.Needs
regularpruningwhenyoung.Whiteflowersinspring.
Foliage:glossygreen/yellow-orangetoscarlet

MEdIUM
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/Best
13
M E DI U M T R E E S
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Chanticleer pear :: Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’
Denseandnarrow.Makesgoodscreen.Prunetoavoid
brokenbranches.
Foliage:glossygreen/yellow-orangetoscarlet

MEdIUM
Chinese flame tree :: Koelreuteria bipinnata
Umbrellashaped.Makesgoodlawntree.Largeclustersof
tinyyellowflowers.Paperyseedpods.
Foliage:mediumgreen/bronzetogold

MEdIUM
Chinese pistache :: Pistacia chinensis
Roundshapewithage.Pruneearlytodevelopform.
Foliage:darkgreen/orangetoorangered

MEdIUM
Emerald Sunshine elm :: Ulmus propinqua ‘Emerald
Sunshine’
Sturdy,uprightgrowth.Tolerateshot,windyweather.
Insectresistant.
Foliage:deepgreen/yellow

MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Eye stopper amur cork tree :: Phellodendron lavallei
‘Longenecker’
Goodformandbarktexture.Leafscorchinhotweathercanbe
minimizedbyplantinginshade.Femalehassmellyfruit.
Foliage:lustrousdarkgreen/bronzetogold

MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Flowering pear :: Pyrus calleryana
Springflowers.Experiencesbranchdropasitmatures.
Foliage:glossygreen/yellow-orangetoscarlet

14
MEdIUM
M E DI U M T R E E S
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Frontier elm :: Ulmus parvifolia ‘Frontier’
Performswellinhot,windyconditions.Veryresistantto
Dutchelmdisease.Showyfallcolor.
Foliage:green/burgundy

MEdIUM
goldenrain tree :: Koelreuteria paniculata
Umbrellashaped.Largeclustersoftinyyellowflowers.
Paperyseedpods.Makesgoodlawntree.Droughttolerant.
Foliage:mediumtodarkgreen/bronzetogold

MEdIUM
Hedge maple :: Acer campestre
Hardyandlonglivedwithcorkybark.
Foliage:darkglossygreen/yellow

MEdIUM
His majesty amur cork tree :: Phellodendron amurense
‘HisMajesty’
Goodformandbarktexture.Leafscorchinhotweathercanbe
minimizedbyplantinginshade.Femalehassmellyfruit.
Foliage:lustrousdarkgreen/bronzetogold

MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Japanese white birch :: Betula platyphylla japonica
Lowbranchingmakesgoodscreen.Notdroughttolerant.
Foliage:mediumglossygreen/yellow

MEdIUM
Jeffrey pine :: Pinus jeffreyi
Open,pyramidalshape.Notforclaysoils.Conesarelarge.
Foliage:blue-greenneedles

Nopicture
available.
MEdIUM NATI V E
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/Best
15
M E DI U M T R E E S
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Littleleaf linden :: Tilia cordata
Fragrant,light-yellowflowersinspring.Focusonpruning
whileyoung.
Foliage:green/yellow

MEdIUM
Loquat :: Eriobotrya japonica
Evergreen.Whiteflowersandediblefruit.Droughttolerant,
butbestwithregularwater.
Foliage:darkgreen

MEdIUM
Macho amur cork tree :: Phellodendron amurense
‘Macho’
Goodformandbarktexture.Leafscorchinhotweathercanbe
minimizedbyplantinginshade.Femalehassmellyfruit.
Foliage:lustrousdarkgreen/bronzetogold

MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
ginkgo :: Ginkgo biloba ‘Fairmont’
Fruitless.Narrow,conicaltoovalform.Tolerantofsmog.
Foliage:mediumgreen/gold

MEdIUM
ginkgo :: Ginkgo biloba ‘PrincetonSentry’
Fruitless.Columnarform.Tolerantofsmog.
Foliage:mediumgreen/gold

MEdIUM
Norwegian Sunset Shantung maple :: Acer
truncatum ‘NorwegianSunset’
Uniformgrowthandgoodbranchstructure.Tolerantofheat.
Foliage:newgrowthpurplish,glossydarkgreen/yelloworangetored

16
MEdIUM
M E DI U M T R E E S
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Pacific Sunset Shantung maple :: Acer truncatum
‘PacificSunset’
Hardyandfinetextured.
Foliage:dark,glossygreen/orangetored

MEdIUM
Paperbark maple :: Acer griseum
Peelingreddishbark.Notgoodinheavyclaysoils.
Foliage:darkgreen/orangestoreds

MEdIUM
Prospector elm :: Ulmus wilsoniana ‘Prospector’
Roundedformwhenmature.Needstrainingandstaking
whenyoung.VeryresistanttoDutchelmdiseaseandbeetles.
Foliage:green/yellow

MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Pyramidal european hornbeam :: Carpinus betulus
‘Fastigiata’
Goodscreeningtree.Strongbranching.Narrowwhenyoung
butmaybroadenwithage.
Foliage:darkgreen/gold

MEdIUM
Saratoga sweetbay :: Laurus nobilis ‘Saratoga’
Smallyellowflowersinclustersfollowedbyblackberries.
Leavesusedincooking.Oftengrownasacontainertree.
Foliage:graygreentodarkgreen

MEdIUM
Saucer magnolia :: Magnolia soulangiana
Showypinkflowersinspringandsometimesinwinter.
Umbrellatovaseshapewithadensecanopy.
Foliage:mediumgreen,bronze,gold

MEdIUM
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/Best
17
M E DI U M T R E E S
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Shantung maple :: Acer truncatum
Dense,uniformcanopy.Requiresshapingwhenyoung.
Heattolerant.
Foliage:yellow,sometimeswithredororange

MEdIUM
Sugar pine :: Pinus lambertiana
Nottolerantofclaysoils.Conesarelarge.Growsbestat
higherfoothillaltitudes.Hassignificantpestproblemsat
lowaltitude.
Foliage:gray-green

MEdIUM NATI V E
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Sweet bay :: Laurus nobilis
Smallyellowflowersinclustersfollowedbyblackberries.
Leavesusedincooking.Oftengrownasacontainertree.
Foliage:gray-greentodarkgreen

MEdIUM
Trident maple :: Acer buergerianum
Low,roundedform.Pruneforclearance.Requiressome
shadeinseveresummers.
Foliage:mediumglossygreen/red

MEdIUM
Tupelo :: Nyssa sylvatica
Triangle-shapedsilhouette.Small,dry,darkberries.
Foliage:lusterousdarkgreen/red

MEdIUM
Upright English oak :: Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’
Upright,columnartree.Darkbrown,furrowedbark.
Foliage:mediumgreen/copper

18
MEdIUM
No water use data in
W UCOLS
SMALL TREES
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Australian willow :: Geijera parviflora
Weepinglookwithage.Whiteflowersinspringorfall.
Goodscreeningtree.
Foliage:mediumgreen

SM A LL
bechtel crabapple :: Malus ioenis ‘Plena’
Roundedcanopy.Fragrantflowers.1-inchgreentodullyellowfruit.
Foliage:darkgreen/gold

SM A LL
bronze loquat :: Eriobotrya deflexa
Accenttree.Fragrantwhiteflowers.Frostsensitive,andmay
bedamagedinextremelycoldweather.
Foliage:bronzetoredwhennewtodarkglossygreen

SM A LL
Chaste tree :: Vitex agnus-castus
Multi-trunked.Wide-spreading.7-inchblueflowerspikes.
Droughttolerant.
Foliage:bluegreen/notshowy

SM A LL
Chinese fringe tree :: Chionanthus retusus
Fragrant,whiteflowers.Redfruit.
Foliage:shinydarkgreen/yellow

SM A LL
Crape myrtle :: Lagerstroemia indica
Bloomsinsummer.Thrivesonheat.Goodforsmallspaces.
Foliage:shinygreen/orange

SM A LL
Desert willow :: Chilopsis linearis
Nottolerantofclaysoils.Fragrant,deep-pinkflowers.3-inch
fruit.
Foliage:blue-greentodarkgreen/gold

SM A LL NATI V E
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/Best
19
SMALL TREES
sactree.com
Eastern redbud :: Cercis canadensis
Heart-shapedleavescomeoutafterdeep-pinkflowers.
Somewhatdroughttolerant.
Foliage:mediumgreen/yellow

SM A LL
Evergreen pear :: Pyrus kawakamii
Usuallyonlypartlydeciduous.Smallwhiteflowersinwinter,
thensmalldryfruit.
Foliage:glossygreen/scarlet

SEMI-
SM A LL
Fern pine :: Podocarpus gracilior
Weaktrunkwhenyoung,needsstaking.Healthiestwhen
lowerbranchesremainunpruned.Damagedinhardfrosts.
Foliage:lightgreen/nofallcolor

SM A LL
Japanese flowering crabapple :: Malus floribunda
Fragrantflowersdeeppinktored,turningtowhite.Very
smallyellowandredfruit.
Foliage:darkgreen/yellow

SM A LL
Japanese lilac :: Syringa reticulata ‘IvorySilk’
Ovalorpyramidalformwhenyoung,becomingovalwith
age.Hugeclustersofwhiteflowersinsummer.
Foliage:mediumgreen/notshowy

SM A LL
Japanese snowbell :: Styrax japonicus
Umbrellashaped.Whitespringflowers.
Foliage:darkgreen/redoryellow

20
SM A LL
SMALL TREES
sactree.com
Prairie fire crabapple :: Malus hybrid ‘Prairiefire’
Redbudsopentodarkpurplish-redflowers.Half-inchdark
red-purplefruit.Uprightwhenyoung.Roundingwithage.
Foliage:greenwithpurpletinge/reddish

SM A LL
Red leaf photinia :: Photinia x fraseri
Whiteflowershavestrongodor.Bestusedaslargeshrubor
hedge.Oftenrequiresstakingandpruningwhentrainedastree.
Foliage:brightredwhennewtolustrousgreenwithredtips

SM A LL
Robinson crabapple :: Malus hybrid ‘Robinson’
Crimsonbudsopeningtodeeppinkflowers.Verysmalldarkredfruit.Uprightandspreadingcanopywithdensebranching.
Foliage:reddishbronze-greenleaves

SM A LL
Tartarian maple :: Acer tartaricum
Preferspartialshadeandgooddrainage.
Foliage:mediumgreen/red,gold,orange

SM A LL
No water use data in
W UCOLS
Washington hawthorn :: Crataegus phaenopyrum
Hardywithwhiteflowersandredberries.Attractsbirds.
Hasthorns.
Foliage:mediumglossygreen/multi-colors

SM A LL
AirQuality: =Good
=Better
=BestDeciduous: Evergreen: =Mediumusage/okay
=Highusage/caution
WaterUsage: =Lowusage/Best
21
Planting Your Young Tree
Instructions for a #5 Tree (5 Gallon):
• Removegrassandweedsina4-foot-widecircle
• Digyourhole4feetwideand8to10inchesdeep.Scorethe
sidesoftheholesotheholeisnotsmooth.
• Diganadditional8inchesofsoilaroundtheedgetocreateasolid
12-inch-widepedestalinthecenterofthehole.
• Removetheentirerootballfromthecontainer.Thoroughlyloosen
andextendsideandbottomrootsfromtherootball.Cutanyroots
circlingtherootballwithasharptool.
• Placetherootballonthepedestalsotherootcrown(where
thetrunkmeetstheroots)isabout1½inchesabovethe
surroundinggroundlevel.
• Placetheexistingsoilbackinthehole.Donotplacegrassor
weedsinthehole.Whenbackfillingthehole,avoidairpockets
bylightlytamping,butdon’tcompactthesoil.Refillthehole
onlyuptothetopoftherootball.
• Spreadmulchina4-footdiameteraroundyourtree,
4to6inchesawayfromthetrunk,and6inchesdeep.
• Deeplywateryournewlyplantedtreeafterplanting.
• Addyourtreestoour5MillionTreeCounteratsactree.com.
before you plant, make sure there is enough room for your
tree’s canopy and roots. in general:
• Largetreesshouldbeplantedatleast30feetfromothertreesand
powerlines,15feetfrompoolsandbuildingfoundations,andat
least8feetawayfromsidewalksanddriveways.
• Mediumtreesshouldbeplantedatleast8feetfromothertreesand
powerlines,12feetfrompoolsandbuildingfoundations,andat
least6feetawayfromsidewalksanddriveways.
driveways.
• Smalltreesshouldbeplantedatleast12feetfrom
from
othertrees,3feetfrompowerlines,6feetfrom
from
poolsandbuildingfoundations,and6feetaway
away
fromsidewalksanddriveways.
22
plant high
Diagram is based specifically on a 5 gallon tree
23
The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a nonprofit
organization working to grow healthy, livable communities
in the Sacramento region by building the best urban forest
in the nation. The Greenprint is our roadmap for planting
5 million trees in the greater Sacramento region.
With your help, we can do it.
TheGreenprintTreeGuideisbroughttoyouinpartnershipwiththeregion’s
airqualitydistricts:
Tolearnmoreabouthowtoimproveairquality,pleasevisitsparetheair.com.
Thankyoutothefollowingorganizationsfortheuseoftheirphotosinthispublication:
UConnPlantDatabase
UConnPlantDatabaseMainPage.htm
SanMarcosGrowers
smgrowers.com
PatBreen,OregonStateUniversity
oregonstate.edu/dept/plants
RedPlanetIncorporated
cirrusimage.com
UrbanForestEcosystemsInstitute
selectree.com
SummerHillNursery
summerhillnursery.com
J.FrankSchmidt&SonCo.
jfschmidt.com
OhioDepartmentofNaturalResources
ohiodnr.com
Tolearnmoreabouttrees,pleasevisit
sactree.com
Sacramento Tree Foundation
191LathropWay,SuiteD
Sacramento,California95815
(916)924-TREE(8733)
sactree.com
12/2011