Street Trees for Orange County, California

Flowering Trees

• Flowering trees add charm and color to streets. For showy flowers, plant an evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii). This Chinese native grows to 25 feet tall and blooms in spring with white blossoms. It grows in USDA zones 8 through 10 and does best in moist soil. Plant the evergreen pear at least 6 feet from the street and allow 25 to 30 feet of spacing between trees. The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) blooms with large, aromatic white flowers in late spring. An evergreen, this North American native has glossy foliage and grows up to 80 feet. It grows in USDA zones 6 through 10 and requires 30 feet of space between trees and 6 feet of space from the street.

Fall Color

• Choose trees that line the street with blazing color in fall. The trident maple (Acer buergeranum) requires 25 to 30 feet of spacing and can be planted from 3 to 6 feet from a parkway. This deciduous tree grows to 25 feet and puts on a brilliant red and gold show in fall. It grows in USDA zones 5 through 10 and tolerates full sun to full shade. For golden fall color, plant a water oak (Quercus nigra). A North American native, this 65-foot-tall oak grows well in moist, acidic soil and grows in USDA zones 6 through 10. Give the water oak 40 feet of space between trees and plant it 8 feet from the street.

Screening Trees

• For year-round screening, plant an evergreen. The camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) grows to 65 feet tall and has lustrous leaves. It requires 40 feet of spacing and should be planted at least 8 feet from the street. This evergreen grows in USDA zones 9 through 11 and prefers moist, alkaline soil. A Mediterranean native, the sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) has fragrant, evergreen leaves and grows to 35 feet tall. It grows in USDA zones 8 through 10 and tolerates a variety of soil types.

To Create Shade

• Create welcoming shade in summer with trees that have large, dense canopies. The coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) grows to 65 feet tall with a wide, spreading canopy. This native Californian has shiny evergreen foliage and grows in USDA zones 9 through 10. It tolerates salty sites and prefers well-draining soil. Another shade-producing oak, the canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), also grows well in urban settings. This evergreen reaches heights of 65 feet and has glossy foliage. It grows in USDA zones 8 through 10 and tolerates drought. Plant either of these oaks at least 8 feet from the street and allow 40 feet of space between trees.