Time for a quick lesson in dendrology! How many of these trees have you seen around your neighborhood? Here’s the countdown:

10. Bauhinia variegata (Purple orchid tree)

 

The Bauhinia variegata is a semi-evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia. Not only do the flowers that grow on these trees smell amazing, but they are also used in various foods!

9. Cassia leptophylla (Gold medallion tree)

 

The Cassia leptophylla is a semi-evergreen tree with clusters of bright yellow flowers and brown seedpods. This tree blooms throughout the year, so keep a lookout for this eye candy!

8. Chitalpa tashkentensis (Chitalpa)

 

The Chitalpa tashkentensis is a small deciduous tree that blooms with pink and white flowers in the spring. Extra points to Chitalpa– it’s a hybrid of a desert willow and a southern catalpa, making it drought-tolerant!

7. Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Carrotwood)

 

The Cupaniopsis anacardioides is an evergreen tree native to our friends down under in Australia. This tree could be a fun, colorful addition to your neighborhood, thanks to its yellow pods and orange seeds.

6. Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Silver dollar gum eucalyptus)

 

The Eucalyptus polyanthemos is also an evergreen tree native to Australia. It’s a resilient, low water use tree well-suited for our California weather!

5. Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)

 

The Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree native to China. Did you know that most cities only allow for the male Ginkgo to be planted because female Ginkgo fruit has an offensive smell?

4. Lagerstroemia indica (Common crape myrtle)

 

The Lagerstroemia indica is a deciduous tree native to Asia. It gives you a taste of the rainbow with its red, white, purple, pink and magenta flowers!

3. Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm)

 

The Ulmus parvifolia is a semi-deciduous tree found on all continents except Antarctica. Keep a look out for its flakey bark– look for red, light grey and white!

2. Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’ (Purple leaf plum)

 

The Prunus cerasifera is a deciduous tree with fragrant pink flowers. Although a beautiful tree, you must be wary of the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter, as this insect can carry bacterial diseases that can be spread from tree to tree. Uh oh!

1. Melaleuca viminalis (Weeping bottlebrush)

 

The Melaleuca viminalis is an evergreen tree with red, wispy flowers. Its strong roots slow the flow of floodwater and reduce erosion. Plus, the Weeping bottlebrush is practically a magnet if you’re looking to attract hummingbirds and butterflies!

Knowledge is power. Check out TreeMapLA to learn more about the trees in your neighborhood!