The Central Coast region spans the area between San Francisco Bay and the Santa Barbara County Mountains. With a climate governed by the Pacific Ocean, residents can expect summers with highs in the 70-degree range and warm winters with highs averaging around 50 degrees. With such a balmy climate, California’s Central Coast provides plenty of possibilities for homeowners looking to update their landscapes with the best trees to plant in this region.

How to Plant the Best Trees in California Region

Selecting the best trees for the right place is a good first step in any landscape design, but proper planting also is important for getting your tree off to a good start. Trees are like all living creatures. They require more attention in the beginning to promote a long, healthy life.

Carefully choose the planting site. Trees are difficult to move once they are established. Check with local authorities for regulations on placement of trees. Some communities have ordinances restricting placement of trees within a specified distance of a street, sidewalk, streetlight, or other utilities. BEFORE DIGGING, make sure that all underground utilities are clearly marked. You wouldn’t want to cut off the electric power to your community or risk injury.

Carefully follow the planting instructions that come with your tree. If specific instructions are not available, follow these tips:

  • Dig a hole about twice the size of the tree’s root ball, or about one foot wider than the root system. The hole should be slightly shallower than the root ball. If the soil is especially heavy or wet, consider planting the tree slightly higher.
  • Remove all materials from the root mass. This includes wires, string, burlap, and biodegradable containers. Neglecting this will hinder proper root growth. Gently place the tree in the center of the hole and position it to grow straight. If the tree has a prettier side, place it in the direction most frequently viewed. If planting a bare root tree, carefully spread the roots. Crumble the soil removed from the hole and cover the roots with it. As you add soil to fill in around the tree, lightly tamp the soil to collapse air pockets, or add water to help settle the soil. Air pockets around the roots can be devastating to a newly planted tree.
  • Add about four inches of mulch–wood chips, shredded bark, or grass clippings–around the base of the tree, extending out to the tips of the outermost branches. A 3-foot diameter circle of mulch is common. Mulching will retain moisture, reduce weeds, maintain a more even soil temperature, and eliminate mowing next to the delicate bark. Be sure to pull the mulch away from the tree trunk because decomposing mulch can cause rot problems.
  • Finally, give the tree a thorough watering. If the root ball is extremely dry, allow water to trickle into the soil by placing the hose at the trunk of the tree.

Young trees need protection against rodents, frost cracks, sunscald, lawnmowers, and weed whackers. Plastic guards are an inexpensive and easy control method. Light colored tree wraps can be used to protect the trunk from sunscald. Usually, staking trees is not necessary unless you live in an area with high winds.

The Best Trees to Grow in California

Native Trees

If you’re looking for large shade trees to adorn your landscape, native species are the way to go. For medium-sized trees that top off in the 30 to 40-foot range, look for big leaf maple, California sycamore, willow trees, bishop pine or coulter pine. Larger species include the California ironwood at more than 45 feet tall and two giant species: The black cottonwood, growing to over 70 feet, and the majestic California bay laurel, which grows to more than 80 feet.

Ornamental Trees

When it comes to ornamental trees, the Central Coast region can grow a diverse selection. White alders usually stay under 30 feet, and they will tolerate full shade, which makes them an excellent backdrop tree. Western redbud is another short tree that is loaded with small pink flowers in the spring. Madrone also has pink cup-shaped flowers in the spring. In the fall, it produces small red berries that are wonderful for attracting birds and other wildlife.
Some unusual ornamental selections include island ceanothus and Albany red-flowering gum. Ceanothus develops spikes of pretty blue flowers with a strong fragrance each spring, while the red flowering gum is a relative of the eucalyptus family with furry red flowers.

Fruit and Nut Trees

The Central Coast region is an excellent area if you’re interested in growing food bearing trees. Most traditional fruits can be grown as a part of your landscape, including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums and cherries. In addition, a few more exotic species will grow, such as olives, figs and persimmons. California Central Coast gardeners can also enjoy a variety of nut trees, including almonds, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, chestnuts and walnuts.
These are only a few examples of the kinds of trees you could grow as part of your landscape. Visit local nurseries or ask your landscaper about even more wonderful options.

A properly planted and maintained tree will grow much faster and live much longer than one that is incorrectly planted. Trees can be planted almost any time of the year as long as the soil is not frozen. However, early fall is the optimum time to plant trees. For the first year or two, especially after a week or so of extremely hot or dry weather, watch your tree closely for signs of moisture stress. If you see leaf wilting or hard, caked soil, water the tree well and slowly enough so the water soaks in rather than runs off.

Take the time to give your best trees a good start on life. You and the next generation will enjoy the benefits of your backyard tree for years to come.

If you need more help in choosing the best trees for your garden, talk to us. Fill out this form or call us at 805-773-5395 to schedule an appointment!