Marina "Social Distancing" Tree Tour 2-21-21

February 22, 2021 by Michael Sullivan

Laid out following the 1915 Pan-Pacific International Exposition, the Marina District is, today, one of the most appealing neighborhoods in the city, marked by a decidedly Mediterranean theme in the design of its elegant homes and by a disruption of the street grid seen in most other parts of the city. Neighborhoods of relative affluence generally result in well-tended trees and gardens, and the Marina is no exception, with trees carefully shaped and pruned to preserve views and let in sunlight on the narrow streets. This neighborhood enjoys easy access to the Marina Green, Fort Mason, the Presidio, and the Bay. Fog and steady winds can be a daily presence during the summer, but a sunny winter day in the Marina is like no other in the city. We enjoyed such a day on Sunday as we laid out this tree tour.

This walk focuses on the triangle defined by Marina Boulevard, Fillmore Street, and Cervantes Boulevard. It begins at the southwest corner of Marina Boulevard and Fillmore Street. The walk leads a few yards south on Fillmore before turning southwest on Retiro Way, jogging slightly at Casa Way, and continuing west on Rico Way. At Avila Street, the walk heads northeast for half a block, then returns southwest on Avila to Cervantes Boulevard, southeast on Cervantes to Beach Street, east on Beach to Retiro, and then north on Retiro back to its starting point on Fillmore. This walk is a little more than one mile long, but, unlike recent walks, this one is entirely flat.

Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea — Giant yucca (*Yucca gigantea*

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 43. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Our trio of tree geeks responsible for this tour is the same: Mike Sullivan, author of Trees of San Francisco, Jason Dewees (author of Designing with Palms) and Richard Turner (retired editor of Pacific Horticulture).

Fillmore Street between Marina and Retiro, west side

1. 301 Marina Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea), Mexico and Central America (tree is on Fillmore)

2. 301 Marina Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southeastern USA (tree is on Fillmore, tucked tightly against the wall of the house)

Turn right on Retiro Way. Retiro Way, Fillmore to Casa Way, northwest side

3. 301 Marina Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri), hybrid of Southeast Asian species (tree is on Retiro)

4. 155 Retiro Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (formerly San Francisco’s most planted street tree)

5. 143 Retiro Marjory Channon pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Marjory Channon’), New Zealand

Jog slightly to the right to 2 Casa Way, then continue south on Retiro.

closeup of Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon — closeup of Blackwood acacia (*Acacia melanoxylon*

6. 2 Casa Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), Southeast Australia (there are many throughout the neighborhood, but this is one of the largest and most beautiful)

Turn right (west) on Rico Way. Rico Way, Casa to Avila, north and northeast side

7. 12 Rico Brush cherry (Syzygium australe, previously known as S. paniculatum), Eastern Australia

8. 26 Rico Evergreen dogwood (Cornus capitata), Himalayas (watch for the white flowers in late spring, followed by red fruits in the fall)

9. 40 Rico Tree aloe (Aloe arborescens), South Africa (this species blooms reliably almost anywhere in the city from late January into March; hummingbirds love the tubular flowers)

English holly (Ilex aquifolium), Western Europe and North Africa (tree is behind the aloe; this cultivar lacks the sharp teeth typically found on the leaf margins, and has smaller clusters of red berries)

10. 60 Rico Natchez crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia x ‘Natchez’), hybrid of Asian species (developed by the National Arboretum in DC; notable for its beautifully mottled bark, outstanding fall color, and its mildew resistance, making it a good choice for San Francisco; these two trees are the biggest of their kind in San Francisco: City Champions!)

11. 85 Rico Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), Año Nuevo, Monterey, Cambria, CA native (tree is across the street; the most widely planted coniferous tree in the world, mostly for lumber)

12. 490 Avila Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin (four trees on Rico)

13. 490 Avila Japanese camellia or rose of winter (Camellia japonica), East Asia (two multi-trunked trees on Rico; though usually grown as a shrub for its beautiful late winter/spring flowers, Japanese camellia is actually a small tree)

Turn right on Avila, and cross to the west side of the street. Avila Street, Marina to Cervantes, northwest side

14. 425 Marina Orange tree (Citrus x sinensis), hybrid of Asian species (tree is in the rear garden, on Avila)

15. 425 Marina White flowering plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (tree is in the rear garden, on Avila; less commonly seen than the pink flowering plums)

16. 465 Avila New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), New Zealand

17. 465 Avila Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), hybrid of East Asian species, developed in France

18. 451 Avila Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), Southwest Australia (on the right of the driveway)

19. 451 Avila Hercules tree aloe (Aloidendron ‘Hercules’), hybrid of two South African species (this small but stunning front garden was created by Stephanie Green). The Hercules tree aloes may be City Champions – the largest in San Francisco.

20. 451 Avila Sago (Cycas revoluta), Japan (eventually becomes a short-trunked tree; note the dramatic flowering cone in the center of the foliage)

21. 431 Avila Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis ‘Atropurpurea’), New Zealand

22. 431 Avila Blue Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis var. argentea), Morocco and Algeria (this is another stunning garden created by Stephanie Green)

23. 431 Avila Baby queen palm (Chamaedorea plumosa), Chiapas, Mexico (tree is within the entry courtyard)

Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana — Queen palm (*Syagrus romanzoffiana*

Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana), South Brazil (five trees)

Turn right on Cervantes Boulevard for a number of trees fronting 200 Cervantes, after which you’ll backtrack and head southeast on Cervantes, crossing Avila Street.

24. 200 Cervantes Ovens wattle (Acacia pravissima), East Australia (tree is on Avila, in another garden by Stephanie Green; the tree is one of San Francisco’s biggest, possibly a City Champion)

25. 200 Cervantes Waggie palm (Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Wagnerianus’), China (tree is on Avila)

Cervantes Blvd, northwest of Avila, northeast side

26. 200 Cervantes Cabbage tree or tī koūka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand (6 trees)

27. 200 Cervantes Showy banksia (Banksia speciosa), Western Australia

28. 200 Cervantes After Dark peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa ‘Jervis Bay Afterdark’), southwest Australian cultivar (often less vigorous than the green-leafed species)

29. 200 Cervantes Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia ‘Charles Grimaldi’), hybrid of South American species (big yellow flowers within the walled garden; developed locally and named for the late San Francisco garden designer)

30. 200 Cervantes China doll tree (Radermachera sinica), China and Taiwan (within the walled garden, behind the angel’s trumpet)

Cervantes Blvd, Avila to Beach, northeast side

31. 400 Avila Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), South Asia (tree is on Cervantes; a common, although problematic, street tree throughout San Francisco)

32. 178 Cervantes Fern-leaf Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus subsp. asplenifolius), CA’s Channel Islands, except Catalina; CA native

33. 168 Cervantes Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia

34. 138 Cervantes Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia

35. 130 Cervantes Purple potato bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii), Paraguay (typically a large shrub, this has been trained into a tree-like form; flowers all year)

36. 124 Cervantes English hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), west and central Europe

37. 118 Cervantes Kwanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’), East Asia (watch for the big pink flowers in April)

Turn left (east) on Beach Street. Beach Street, Cervantes to Retiro, north side

38. 1770 Beach Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), Southern China

39. 1775 Beach Loquat (Rhaphiolepis loquata, syn. Eriobotrya japonica), Southeast China, Vietnam, and Taiwan (two trees across the street; fruit is edible)

40. 1764 Beach Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia

Turn left on Retiro Way. Retiro Way, Beach to Casa, west side

41. 25 Retiro Soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria), Chile

**Carefully cross Retiro Way to the east side**

Not a tree, but a cool solar installation in lieu of windows in the Marina!

42. 20 Retiro Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan

Retiro Way, Casa to Fillmore, southeast side

43. 120 Retiro Mock-orange (Pittosporum tobira), Japan, China, and Korea (intensely fragrant flowers later in the year)

The Marina tree tour ends here, a few yards from its beginning at Fillmore and Marina Blvd.

Our regular commercial: This walking tour was organized by Mike Sullivan, author of The Trees of San Francisco and webmaster of www.sftrees.com; Jason Dewees, horticulturist at Flora Grubb Gardens and author of Designing with Palms; and Richard Turner, retired editor of Pacific Horticulture magazine . You can follow Mike and Jason on their tree-themed Instagram pages at @sftreeguy and @loulufan. Richard edited another great book on San Francisco trees: Elizabeth McClintock’s Trees of Golden Gate Park. If you’re a tree enthusiast, buy all three books!

Sunnyside "Social Distancing" Tree Tour

February 08, 2021 by Michael Sullivan

In the euphemistically named Sunnyside neighborhood, we enjoyed a truly superb sunny Sunday chalking out our latest tree tour. We began at a neighborhood treasure: the Sunnyside Conservatory, which dates to 1898. After years of decline, it was designated City Landmark #78 in 1975 and has, in recent years, seen a series of upgrades in access, hardscape, and plantings, thanks to a notable partnership between the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, the Department of Public Works, and an active local support group, Friends of Sunnyside Conservatory. (Read more about the project at sunnysideconservatory.org.)

This walk begins at the front gate of the Sunnyside Conservatory on Monterey Blvd. Look for the white numbers on the concrete curbing and retaining walls along the broad walk through the Conservatory’s garden, eventually exiting up the steps at the northeast corner to Joost Avenue. At Joost, the tour heads west on Joost to Congo Street, then returns on the north side of Joost to the Mini-Park mid-block. It then heads up the steps through the Mini-Park to Mangles Avenue, before returning down the steps to Joost again. At Joost, the walk continues east to Baden, then south on Baden to Monterey Blvd, and finally west on Monterey to the Sunnyside Conservatory. This walk is barely one mile long. Be forewarned that there are several flights of steps involved, through the Conservatory and up to Joost, and again from Joost up to Mangels and back down within the Mini-Park.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 51. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed. (To preserve the sanctity of the Sunnyside Conservatory’s garden, we have only provided the numbers, in white, for the trees on this portion of the walk.)

Sunnyside Conservatory at 236 Monterey Blvd, between Baden and Congo streets, north side

(We have only chalked the numbers, in white, on concrete curbing and retaining walls within the Conservatory gardens.)

1. Pindo palm (Butia odorata), Southern Brazil and Uruguay

2. River banksia (Banksia seminuda),southwest Australia (look for the bright yellow flowers)

3. Grass-leaf hakea (Hakea francisiana), south and southwest Australia

4. Variegated century plant (Agave americana ‘Variegata’), Mexico,southwest USA

5. Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands, Spain (these trees are over 100 years old)

Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) — Canary Island date palm (*Phoenix canariensis*)

6. Waggie palm (Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Wagnerianus’), China

7. Cabbage tree or tī koūka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand

8. Tree fuchsia (Fuchsia arborescens), C America (this large shrubby fuchsia flowers all year in San Francisco)

9. Chilean palm (Jubaea chilensis), Chile (one of San Francisco’s finest specimens, this specimen is over 100 years old)

10. Evergreen dogwood (Cornus capitata), Himalayas (watch for the white flowers in late spring, followed by red fruits in the fall)

11. Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Australia, Norfolk Island

12. Tasmanian tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica), southeast Australia

12B Australian tree fern (Cyathea cooperi), NE Australia (compare the trunks on this tree fern and the previous one)

13. Nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida), New Zealand

**Exit the main part of the Conservatory’s garden at the northeast corner, following a flight of steps through a garden passageway to Joost Avenue; the trees noted by number are on the right and left of the steps**

14. (right) Giant bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), South Africa

15. (left) Stinging wigandia (Wigandia urens), Southern Mexico to NW South America (beware of the stinging hairs on the leaves)

16. (left) Firewheel tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus), NE Australia

closeup of a lilly pilly tree (Syzygium smithii, previously known as Acmena smithii) — closeup of a lilly pilly tree (*Syzygium smithii*, previously known as *Acmena smithii*)

17. (right) Pompom tree (Dais cotinifolia), South Africa (watch for the pink flowers in early summer)

Joost Avenue, west to Congo Street, south side

18. 257 Joost Lilly pilly tree (Syzygium smithii, previously known as Acmena smithii), eastern Australia

19. 265 Joost Cabbage tree or tī koūka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand (this is a much older specimen than the one in the Conservatory’s garden)

20. 277 Joost Lemon (Citrus x limon) hybrid of southeast Asia species

21. 281 Joost Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Norfolk Island, South Pacific

22. 289 Joost Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (first introduced in San Francisco)

23. 293 Joost Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Japan, China, Korea

** Cross to the north side of Joost**

Joost Avenue, east of Congo Street to the Mini-Park, north side

*Note: the next five trees are actually on Joost, along the side of 400 Congo)

24. 400 Congo Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus), eastern Australia

25. 400 Congo Hackberry (Celtis species)

26. 400 Congo Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Iran

27. 400 Congo Mulberry (Morus species)

28. 400 Congo Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’), Morocco and Algeria

29. 268 Joost Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa),southwest Australia

30 266 Joost Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile

31. 262 Joost Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), eastern Australia

**Head up the steps through the Mini-Park, almost to Mangles Avenue**

Within the Mini-Park, on right or left of steps

31B. (left) Coffeeberry (Frangula californica), CA native, including San Francisco

32. (left) Champak (Magnolia champaca) South and southeast Asia (flowers are fragrant)

33. (left) Flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata), E Asia

34. (right) English or cherry laurel, English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Black Sea (this species and the next one were originally part of a hedge that has been allowed to grow beyond its original bounds)

35. (right) Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica), France to Portugal and Morocco

36. (left) Islay (Prunus ilicifolius), San Francisco native tree (the namesake of Islais Creek in Glen Canyon)

37. (left) Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), CA native, including San Francisco

38. (left) Grapefruit tree (Citrus x paradisi), hybrid of two other citrus: sweet orange and pomelo (within the yard to the west)

39. (right) Ray Hartman ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), hybrid of CA native species

40. (right) Hopseed tree (Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’), native throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the world (this was likely a hedge planting originally)

41. (right) Century plant (Agave salmiana var. ferox), Mexico (this succulent is not a tree at all, but the tall, asparagus-like flower stalk will be tree-like in form when in full bloom; the stalk will likely grow another 15 feet taller before flowering; the plant will die after flowering)

**Return down the steps to Joost**

Joost Avenue, east to Baden Street, north side

42. 238 Joost Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands, Spain

43. 226 Joost Bailey’s acacia (Acacia baileyana), eastern Australia (often the first species to bloom in January)

***Cross Joost carefully***

Joost Avenue, east to Baden, south side

44. 201 Joost Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), eastern USA to Mexico and Central America (these two trees are surprisingly evergreen)

45. 201 Joost English holly (Ilex aquifolium), W Europe and N Africa (a magnificent specimen)

Joost Avenue, east of Baden, south side

46. 199 Joost Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia),southwest Australia (first tree across the street)

Baden Street, Joost to Monterey, west side

47. 201 Joost Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), Japan and Korea (tree is in the rear yard, on Baden)

48. 190 Monterey Silver wattle (Acacia dealbata), eastern Australia (tree is in the rear yard, on Baden, across the street; seldom planted anymore, as it has proven to be highly invasive)

48. 215 Baden King palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), eastern Australia

[49 not used]

Monterey Blvd, west from Baden, north side

50. 222 Monterey Red-leaf photinia (Photinia x fraseri), hybrid (more commonly seen as a dense shrub with red new foliage along our freeways)

51. 236 Monterey Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), eastern Australia (several nice specimens continue along Monterey to Congo St.)

The Sunnyside Tree Walk ends here, where it began, at the Sunnyside Conservatory.

A short commercial: I’m Mike Sullivan, author of The Trees of San Francisco and webmaster of www.sftrees.com, and I created this tour. You can follow me on my tree-themed Instagram page at @sftreeguy. If you enjoyed the tour, I think you’ll like my book - it’s hard to keep a local book in print, so click here to buy a copy or visit your local independent bookseller to get a copy!

Tu Bishvat ט״ו בשבט‎ Tree Tour

January 22, 2021 by Michael Sullivan

This tour celebrates the Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat (Hebrew: ט״ו בשבט‎), which occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat (in 2021, Tu BiShvat begins at sunset on January 27 and ends in the evening of January 28). It is also called Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot, literally “New Year of the Trees”. In contemporary Israel, the day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day.

The tour starts at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, at the northwest corner of California Street and Presidio Avenue. From there, head west on California Street, towards Walnut Street.

1. The last two trees before you reach Walnut Street are London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia). The London plane is the most common street tree in San Francisco, and one of the most popular urban trees in the world. It was a natural hybrid that occurred as European visitors to America in the 1600s brought American plane trees home to Europe, where they mingled with a close botanical relative (oriental plane trees) from Europe. The “children” of these American and European parents had what we call “hybrid vigor”, and the London plane has been with us ever since!

Cross Walnut Street, and turn right onto Walnut.

2. 431 Walnut Two ficus trees (Ficus microcarpa), from South and Southeast Asia to northern Australia. This used to be San Francisco’s most common street tree, but it hasn’t been planted for many years, as its roots are bad sidewalk-breakers. We also lost a third of the city’s ficus trees in a cold snap in 1991, when the temperature dipped to 27 degrees fahrenheit in some parts of the city - causing the trees to die overnight.

3. 3428 Sacramento Two red-flowering gums (Corymbia ficifolia), from southwest Australia, near Perth. Despite its name, this tree’s flowers can be red, orange, pink, white or in between - the flowers of these trees on Sacramento seem to have a coral hue to them. The fruits of this species look like the bowl of a small pipe. It’s my favorite San Francisco tree - it puts out spectacular blooms typically in July and August. This tree hasn’t gotten the message and is putting out its blooms in January!

Continue west on Sacramento, and cross Laurel Street.

4. NW corner of Sacramento and Laurel. New Zealand Christmas tree (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand. This tree is called pōhutukawa in the Māori language, and that is what it is called by New Zealanders. This is the 2nd most common street tree in San Francisco. It’s known for its brilliant red flowers in summer - you can’t see them now, but you can see the other thing that the tree is famous for, which is its “aerial roots” - roots that hang down from the tree’s canopy.

5. 333 Laurel Two southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora), native to Southeast USA. (This is state tree of Mississippi). The next tree on Laurel is a large London plane tree (like the ones you saw on California Street). You can easily see the seed balls of the tree in the tree canopy.

Cross Laurel Street, and head left (west) on the north side of Clay Street.

pollarded London plane trees (Platanuts x acerifolia) in front of the Korean consulate — pollarded London plane trees (*Platanuts x acerifolia*) in front of the Korean consulate

6. 3500 Clay In front of the Korean consulate at this address are four London plane trees that have been “pollarded”. To “pollard” a tree means to cut it repetitively, year after year, at the same joint - not every tree can handle this, but London plane trees react by creating a knobby ending that some (not all…) find aesthetically pleasing.

7. 3512 Clay (to left of the driveway as you face the house) Princess tree (Tibouchina urvilleana) from Southern Brazil. This is the small tree with deep purple flowers.

8. 3580 Clay The large tree in the yard (not in the sidewalk) at this address is a Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum) from Eastern Australia. When it’s in bloom, this tree has a powerful perfume that you can smell from around a corner.

Turn right and head downhill on Locust.

9. 200 Locust. As you approach the corner, there are six blackwood acacia trees (Acacia melanoxylon) from southeast Australia at this address. These trees get very large and are very brittle when mature, so the City is discouraging the planting of this species.

Turn right onto Washington Street.

10. 3565 Washington Two Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) from Japan, China, Korea in the courtyard and against the house at this address.

11. 3525-27 Washington A Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus); this is the first California native that we’ve seen so far - it’s native to the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California.

12. 3515 Washington Two olive trees (Olea europaea) from the Mediterranean Basin. This tree has a part in the story of Noah and the ark from the book of Genesis: וַתָּבֹא אֵלָיו הַיּוֹנָה לְעֵת עֶרֶב, וְהִנֵּה עֲלֵה-זַיִת טָרָף בְּפִיהָ; וַיֵּדַע נֹחַ, כִּי-קַלּוּ הַמַּיִם מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ. “And the dove came in to him at eventide; and lo in her mouth an olive-leaf freshly plucked; so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.”

13. 3461 Washington Another Victorian box tree from Australia (look up - it’s the big tree above the garage).

Turn right and head uphill on Walnut.

14. As you walk up Laurel, at the driveway to the large corner property, you’ll see a very large deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) from the Himalayas. Among Hindus, deodar cedars are regarded as divine trees - the name deodar derives from the Sanskrit term devadāru, meaning “wood of the gods”.

Cross Clay Street, then turn left and cross Walnut to the east side of the street. Then head downhill on Walnut.

closeup of bark of a Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) — closeup of bark of a Chinese elm (*Ulmus parvifolia*)

15. 304 Walnut Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) from East Asia. The bark of this tree is beautiful - it comes off in puzzle-piece shapes.

Cross Sacramento Street and turn left/east on Sacramento.

16. All of the trees on this block of Sacramento between Walnut and Presidio are Brazilian pepper trees (Schinus terebinthifolius), from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. There are two at 3391 Sacramento, two at 3375 Sacramento, and three large ones at 3555 Sacramento.

mayten trees (Maytenus boaria) — mayten trees (*Maytenus boaria*)

17. When you reach the corner of Presidio Avenue, look kitty-corner to the northeast corner of Presidio and Sacramento, and you’ll see three mayten trees (Maytenus boaria) from Chile.

Turn right, head downhill one block to your starting point!

Telegraph Hill "Social Distancing" Tree Tour 1-16-21

January 18, 2021 by Michael Sullivan

If there is one iconic neighborhood in San Francisco, Telegraph Hill is it. On a beautiful but worrisomely dry Saturday, the neighborhood’s trees drew us to enjoy spectacular views of the Bay, the downtown skyline, and Russian and Nob hills, along with the distinctive gardens of the Filbert Steps. Narrow streets don’t always allow for generous tree plantings, but we found quite a few trees of interest in this week’s tour.

Our walk begins at the northeast corner of Washington Square at Stockton and Filbert streets, opposite the popular Mama’s restaurant. It then heads north on Stockton to Greenwich Street, east on Greenwich for two blocks to its dead end below Coit Tower, then back west to Grant Avenue, south on Grant to Filbert, and east on Filbert to Kearny Street. At the intersection of Filbert and Kearny, the walk heads east up the steps toward Coit Tower, then back down the east side of the hill on the Filbert Steps to Montgomery Street, south on the east side of Montgomery to Vallejo Street, west on Vallejo to Columbus Avenue, northwest on Columbus to Stockton, and north on Stockton. At Union Street, the walk circles Washington Square in a clockwise direction, heading west on Union, northwest on Columbus, and finally east on Filbert, back to the beginning of the tour at Stockton and Filbert. This walk is approximately 2 miles long. Be forewarned that there are several flights of stairs on Filbert, Montgomery, and Vallejo streets; this is, after all, a hill.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 49. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Washington Square, northeast corner

1. Stockton at Filbert Primrose tree (Lagunaria patersonii), Australia and South Pacific Islands. Sadly, these 3 trees have been topped (what’s that about, Recreation & Park Department?), but they remain the biggest specimens of this tree in San Francisco.

Filbert Street, west of Stockton, north side

2. 620 Filbert Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), Southeast Asia (typically grown as a house plant in most of the country)

Stockton Street, Filbert to Greenwich, west side

3. 1736 Stockton Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia (3 trees across the street, in front of the Maybeck Building; Bernard Maybeck was one of the Bay Area’s most important architects)

Stockton Street, north of Greenwich, west side

4. 1821 Stockton Bailey’s acacia (Acacia baileyana), Eastern Australia (often the first species to bloom in January - this tree was just beginning to bloom on our visit)

5. 1801 Stockton Elegant water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Elegant’), Eastern Australia (a large-leafed selection of the water gum seen at #41)

Greenwich Street, Stockton to Grant, north side

6. 576 Greenwich Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (the first in this row is one of San Francisco’s shapeliest specimens and is a rare female ginkgo, hence foul-smelling fruit in autumn)

7. 568 Greenwich Guadalupe palm (Brahea edulis), Guadalupe Island, Mexico (above the wall; this species is perfectly adapted to San Francisco)

8. 526 Greenwich Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (this tree is the other female in the row – on our visit we could see fruits on the sidewalk and a few still hanging in the upper branches of the tree)

Greenwich Street, east of Grant, north side

9. 444 Greenwich Loquat (Rhaphiolepis loquata, syn. Eriobotrya japonica), Southeastern China (fruit is edible)

10. 442 Greenwich Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), China (the furry trunk is characteristic of this palm)

Octopus tree, (Schefflera actinophylla), N Australia)

11. 430 Greenwich Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands

Greenwich Street, east of Grant, south side

12. 427 Greenwich Philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum), Brazil (city champion: the largest specimen of this species in San Francisco)

13. 439 Greenwich Silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Eastern North America (2 trees) These trees, like the horse chestnut next door at 447 Greenwich, have been heavily pruned, apparently to preserve views.

Philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) - we think this may be a “City Champion: - biggest philodendron in SF! — Philodendron (*Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum*) - we think this may be a “City Champion: - biggest philodendron in SF!

14. 447 Greenwich Horse chestnut (Aesculus sp.), Eurasia

15. 449 Greenwich Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), South Asia (a common, although often problematic, street tree throughout San Francisco)

16. 459 Greenwich English hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), western and central Europe

17. 483 Greenwich Fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior), East Africa (4 trees)

A “rock library” on Grant with a Kerouac quote - only on Telegraph Hill!

Grant Avenue, Greenwich to Filbert, west side

18. 1653 Grant London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (2 trees)

19. 1601 Grant Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), southeastern USA

Filbert Street, Grant to Kearny, north side

20. 480 Filbert Brush cherry (Syzygium australe), Eastern Australia

21. 456 Filbert White alder (Alnus rhombifolia), California native

End of Filbert Street at Kearny, inside the park

22. Inside the park Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea), Mediterranean Basin (source of pine nuts/pignoli)

**Take the steps up to Telegraph Hill Boulevard and Coit Tower**

Filbert Steps east of Kearny, north side

23. ¾ up the steps Ombu (Phytolacca dioica), Argentina

**Follow Lombard Hill Boulevard for a few yards, then take the Filbert Steps down toward Montgomery Street**

Filbert Steps, east of Lombard Hill Blvd, north side

24. first set of steps Karo (Pittosporum crassifolium), New Zealand

25. 310 Filbert Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia), Eastern Australia (this small tree has been artfully trained over the gate to the entry walk)

26. 300 Filbert Cook pine (Araucaria columnaris), New Caledonia. Similar to Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), but this species has a pronounced lean or curve at its base - it was only recently learned that the tree always leans towards the equator, so here it is leaning towards the south, but in the southern hemisphere it leans north.

**Turn left when you hit the landing**

27. 300 Filbert Princess tree (Tibouchina urvilleana), Southern Brazil (usually a shrub, sometimes becoming a tree; notable for its intense purple flowers; loves San Francisco!)

28. 300 Filbert Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), Baja California and Sonora, Mexico

**Continue down the last flight of steps to the upper part of Montgomery, cross the street, and take the next set of steps down to the lower part of Montgomery, then head south**

Montgomery Street, Filbert to Union, east side

29. 1360 Montgomery Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Japan, China, Korea (this Art Deco building from 1937 was featured in the 1947 movie, “Dark Passage,” starring Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart)

30. 1360 Montgomery Cabbage tree or tī koūka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand

**Note the row of Italian stone pines in the median of Montgomery**

31. 1308 Montgomery Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’), a variety of Eurasian species (2 trees in the median)

**Continue south on Montgomery, down the steps, and on to Vallejo Street**

Vallejo Street, Montgomery to Kearny, north side

32. top of first set of steps Giant bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), South Africa (one of San Francisco’s biggest specimens of this species)

33. 418 Vallejo Flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata), East Asia

34. 420 Vallejo Mountain aloe (Aloe marlothii), South Africa

35. 420 Vallejo Bearss lime (Citrus x latifolia), Southeast Asia

36. 442 Vallejo Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Eastern Australia

37. 455 Vallejo Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), Southeastern Australia (six trees across the street)

38. 470 Vallejo Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

39. 490 Vallejo Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia

Vallejo Street, Kearny to Grant, south side

WOW - this Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) was an unexpected find at the corner of Vallejo and Kearny! — WOW - this Tulip tree (*Liriodendron tulipifera*) was an unexpected find at the corner of Vallejo and Kearny!

40. 1165 Kearny Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Eastern North America (tree is on Vallejo at Kearny; possibly a “City Champion”; certainly one of San Francisco’s largest specimens)

41. 551 Vallejo Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina), Eastern Australia (this tree grows in streamside locations in the wild, hence the common name; it is San Francisco’s most commonly planted street tree)

42. 1268 Grant Red maple (Acer rubrum), Ontario to Florida to Texas (two trees on Vallejo)

**There are few trees on the route along Columbus Avenue from Vallejo to Stockton, and on Stockton from Columbus to Union; enjoy the aromas of the many coffee shops and Italian restaurants along the way, and hope for an end to the pandemic so we may again enjoy the gastronomic pleasures of this neighborhood**

Washington Square, south side (all trees are within the park)

43. Union near Stockton Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia (2 trees)

44. West of #43 Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica), Morocco and Algeria

45. Near the Pit Stop Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Big Sur to southwest Oregon; California coastal native (tallest tree species in the world)

46 Union near Columbus Sweet michelia (Magnolia doltsopa), Himalayas (3 young trees with brown fuzzy buds that will soon open into large fragrant white flowers)

Washington Square, west side (all trees are within the park)

47. Columbus near Filbert Fastigiate European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’), northwest Europe to Iran (eight young trees)

Washington Square, north side (all trees are within the park)

London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia) in Washington Square park — London plane tree (*Platanus* x *acerifolia)* in Washington Square park

48. Filbert opposite the church London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern American and European species (six tall, deciduous trees)

49. Filbert near Stockton Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), Himalayas

The Telegraph Hill Tree Walk ends here, a few yards from its beginning at Stockton and Filbert.

Female ginkgos are "in season" - here's where to find them!

January 05, 2021 by Michael Sullivan

female ginkgo fruits - 1044 Shrader Street

Ginkgo trees are popular street trees worldwide, and San Francisco is no exception - many hundreds of them can be found citywide. There is a lot to like: ginkgos are beautiful trees, they thrive in urban settings, and the species has an amazing and ancient lineage, dating back 200 million years to the time of the dinosaurs.

But as in any metropolis, almost all of the ginkgos in San Francisco are male. That’s because female trees produce fleshy, yellowish, cherry-sized fruits that have a disagreeable (many would say disgusting) odor that has been likened to vomit or rancid butter. As a result, female ginkgos on San Francisco’s streets are typically mistakes - trees believed to be male when planted. And once owners discover that their ginkgo is a female, they often remove it, leaving even fewer on the City’s streets.

But I’m guessing that my blog readers would actually relish finding one of these smelly (but rare) trees nearby. Or maybe you have a pre-adolescent kid who would think it’s fun to visit a tree that smells like barf :) So readers, whatever your interest in the female of this species, I’ll give you some addresses in San Francisco where you can find female ginkgoes. There aren’t many, but I recently discovered some new ones in our 2020 #covidtreetours. The fruits are dropping from the trees now as I write this in January 2021, so it’s a good time to get the olfactory experience at these locations:

3371 21st between Valencia and Guerrero in the Mission
3386 22nd Street between Valencia and Guerrero in the Mission
Three female trees at 845 Guerrero (but on the Liberty Street side of the building)
1351 Clay Street on Nob Hill
Divisadero Street north of Oak Street, bordering the carwash
278 Eureka Street between 19th and 20th Street in the Castro
520-522 and 572 Greenwich on Telegraph Hill
116 Fair Oaks (two trees) in the Mission
654 Minnesota in Dogpatch
366 Montcalm Street in Peralta Heights
102 San Jose (two trees) in the Mission
592 Sanchez/19th in the Castro (two trees)
1044 Shrader in Cole Valley
2860 Union Street in Cow Hollow
And if you know of others, let me know at michaelsullivan415 [at] gmail.com!

Duboce Triangle "Social-Distancing" Tree Tour 12-20-20

December 22, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

Duboce Triangle is a popular residential neighborhood defined by Market Street, Castro Street, and Duboce Avenue, at the northeastern corner of Eureka Valley. Dense with Victorian row houses alongside Marina-style buildings and a few bland structures from the 50s and 60s, the neighborhood may be most notable for its two major tree-lined streets: Noe and Sanchez. These two streets, with their arching canopies of mature trees planted in the early 70s, bear a strong resemblance to the elm-lined residential streets that filled cities of the East Coast and Midwest a half-century ago.

Our walk begins below The Lookout, on the corner of Market, Noe and 16th streets, across from the venerable Cafe Flore. It heads north on Noe to Beaver Street, west on Beaver to Castro Street, north on Castro to Henry Street, east on Henry to Noe, north on Noe to Duboce Avenue, east on Duboce to Walter Street, south on Walter to 14th Street, east on 14th to Sanchez, south on Sanchez to Henry, west on Henry to Noe, and south on Noe to 16th (in front of Cafe Flore), across the street from where the tour began. This walk is approximately 1 ½ miles long.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 44. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) in foreground; a Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) behind them on the right — Queen palms (*Syagrus romanzoffiana*) in foreground; a Mexican fan palm (*Washingtonia robusta*) behind them on the right

Beaver Street, Noe to Castro, south side

1. Beaver, west of Noe Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil (4 trees alongside of the Noe-Beaver Community Garden)

2. 7 Beaver Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), Baja California & Sonora, Mexico

3. 7 Beaver Ovens wattle (Acacia pravissima), Eastern Australia (watch for the soft yellow flowers within the next month)

4. 9 Beaver Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), Lord Howe Island, Australia

5. 9 Beaver Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina), Eastern Australia (this tree grows in streamside locations in the wild; hence the common name; it is San Francisco’s most commonly planted street tree)

6. 11 Beaver Primrose tree (Lagunaria patersonii), Australia and South Pacific Islands

7. 21 Beaver Cabbage tree or tī koūka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand

8. 21 Beaver Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Japan, China, Korea

9. 20 Beaver Japanese blueberry tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens), East Asia (across the street)

10. 22 Beaver Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands (across the street)

11. 69 Beaver Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (formerly San Francisco’s most planted street tree)

Turn right on Castro. Castro Street, Beaver to Henry, east side

12. 245 Castro Sweet michelia (Magnolia doltsopa), Himalayas (brown fuzzy buds will open into large fragrant white flowers in a few weeks)

Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) - San Francisco’s biggest specimen of this tree, at Castro and Henry Streets — Torrey pine (*Pinus* *torreyana*) - San Francisco’s biggest specimen of this tree, at Castro and Henry Streets

13. 239 Castro Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southeast USA (both sides of Castro are lined with these trees, from near Market to 14th streets, all planted in the early 70s)

Northwest Corner of Castro and Henry streets

14. School grounds Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana), California native: La Jolla, San Diego and Santa Rosa Island (its very limited natural distribution makes it the rarest pine in the world; this one, on the corner of the school grounds, is the largest in San Francisco, a City Champion!)

Turn right (downhill) on Henry Street, Castro to Noe, north side

15. 197 Henry Ginkgos (Ginkgo biloba), China (row of 4 trees, on the south side of Henry; these are all male trees, hence no smelly fruit)

16. 190 Henry Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (3 trees here, but many can be found throughout the neighborhood; the tree was first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here)

17. 180 Henry American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Eastern USA to Mexico and Central America

18. 164 Henry London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern North American and European species

19. 156 Henry Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia

20. 148 Noe California buckeye (Aesculus californica), California; a San Francisco native tree! (tree is on Henry; note the silvery trunk)

21. 148 Noe Ray Hartman ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), hybrid of CA native species (tree is on Henry)

22. 148 Noe Hibiscus tree (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), tropical Asia (tree is on Henry; not known to thrive in San Francisco’s cool climate, but this specimen is doing well)

23. 148 Noe Purple potato bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii), Paraguay (tree is on Henry; typically a large shrub, this one has been trained into a tree-like form; flowers all year)

Turn left on Noe Street; Noe Street, Henry to 14th, west side

24. Noe at Henry Shamel ash (Fraxinus uhdei), Mexico (Noe is lined with these trees, mostly clustered in the bulb-outs at each intersection, all planted in the early 70s)

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) - San Francisco’s biggest carob, at 138 Noe Street — Carob (*Ceratonia siliqua*) - San Francisco’s biggest carob, at 138 Noe Street

25. 138 Noe Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), East Mediterranean Basin (San Francisco’s biggest carob a “City Champion”!). The seed pods of this tree can be used to make a chocolate substitute—though not recommended for true chocolate lovers.

Noe Street, 14th to Duboce, east side

26. Median, north of 14th Silver dollar gum (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), Eastern Australia (this tree is repeated in the median at Noe and Duboce; note the nearly round, silvery juvenile leaves, thought to resemble silver dollars)

27. 111 Noe Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia (trees are on Noe and 14th at this address, as well as across the street at 892 - 14th; note the varying characters of the bark on these trees)

28. 81 Noe Marri (Corymbia calophylla), W Australia (looks like a white-flowered version of Corymbia ficifolia, #30B, but this is a distinct species with white flowers and differently shaped fruits

29. 69 Noe Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea ‘Rosenka’), Brazil (normally a vigorous vine, this specimen has been carefully staked and pruned into a small tree)

30. 69 Noe Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

30-B. 61 Noe Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia

31. 43 Noe Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), a California native! (tree is across the street, within hospital parking lot; coast live oak is one of the few trees native to San Francisco)

Turn right on Duboce; Duboce Avenue, Noe to Walter, south side

32. 575 Duboce Flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata), East Asia

Turn right on Walter; Walter Street, Duboce to 14th, east side

33. 27 Walter Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), South and Southeast Asia to northern Australia (a common, although problematic, street tree throughout San Francisco)

trunk of an olive tree (Olea europaea) at 47 Walter — trunk of an olive tree (*Olea europaea*) at 47 Walter

34. 47 Walter Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

35. 65 Walter Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Argentina, Bolivia

36. 69 Walter Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), eastern Australia

Turn left on 14th; 14th Street, Walter to Sanchez, north side

37. 822 - 14th Red maple (Acer rubrum), Ontario to Florida to Texas

**Turn right (south) on Sanchez to Henry, under a canopy of Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus) on the west side and red-flowering gums (Corymbia ficifolia)on the east side**

Median on Sanchez at Henry streets

38. Median Silver dollar gum (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), Eastern Australia (the bigger tree; note the more slender adult foliage, compared to tree #26)

Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia (the smaller tree, under the silver dollar gum)

Red maple (Acer rubrum) at 822 14th Street — Red maple (*Acer rubrum*) at 822 14th Street

Turn right on Henry; Henry Street, Sanchez to Noe, north side

39. 148 Sanchez Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia (tree is on Henry)

40. 16 Henry After Dark peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa ‘Jervis Bay Afterdark’), Southwest Australian cultivar (often less vigorous than the green-leafed species)

41. 22 Henry Trident maple (Acer buergerianum), East Asia

42. 64 Henry Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia (this one has coral orange flowers)

**Stroll south on Noe, under a canopy of Shamel ashes (Fraxinus uhdei) at each intersection; they were noted at stop #24.

Turn left on Noe; Noe Street, 15th to Beaver, east side

43. 233 Noe Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), East Asia

Noe Street at Beaver, west side

44. 240 Noe Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan (several trees are on both Noe and Beaver)

The Duboce Triangle Tree Walk ends at Noe and Market, in front of Cafe Flore.

Salesforce Park "Social-Distancing" Tour 12-13-20

December 15, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

The “prehistoric garden”, with a ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) in full autumn glory on the left, and monkey puzzles (Araucaria araucana) with their characteristic silhouette on the right. — The “prehistoric garden”, with a ginkgo (*Ginkgo biloba*) in full autumn glory on the left, and monkey puzzles (*Araucaria araucana*) with their characteristic silhouette on the right.

To paraphrase the US Post Office’s slogan, neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays the three tree geeks from their appointed rounds…

We survived a day of blistering heat in Mission Bay last summer, and a marginally cooler day in Westwood Park in early November, but Sunday, December 13, was our first encounter with real rain. And what a day it was, with more than half an inch adding to the half inch received Friday night, to roughly triple San Francisco’s seasonal rainfall to date. If you’re keeping track, that’s several inches below the average at this point in a rainy season that begins in October and runs (if we’re lucky) for almost six months.

Interpretive panel in the park, showing San Francisco’s rainfall patterns compared to other American cities

To our surprise, we were not the only folks strolling around Salesforce Park. Pathways are well-paved, and occasional shelter provides protection from the heaviest downpours. An interpretive panel at the western end of the park, attached to the railing between the two succulent gardens, explains the natural rainfall pattern experienced in San Francisco. Most of California enjoys a mediterranean-type climate, with rain falling during the cooler months and a nearly complete lack of rainfall during the warmer months. The panel provides an illuminating graphic comparison of the rainfall patterns in other major US cities; it’s clear that San Francisco is pretty unusual in its winter-only rainfall.

Mike, our fearless leader, had already created a walking tour of the park’s trees, which you can reach by clicking here, so we merely enjoyed a three-hour stroll-and-chat about the gardens. The glorious array of trees, shrubs, herbaceous, and succulent plants in the middle and around the perimeter of the three-block-long elevated park make up the greatest diversity of plants in any public space in the city, outside of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Arranged by geographic origin, or in other distinct categories (succulents, palms, oaks), the plants offer a tour of the world’s flora, with an emphasis on the mediterranean-climate regions of southern Europe, North Africa and the Near East, California, central Chile, southwestern South Africa, and portions of South and Western Australia.

One of two “desert gardens” in the park; the plants with the orangish trunk at the back and upper left are dragon trees (Dracaena draco) from the Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco and Cape Verde — One of two “desert gardens” in the park; the plants with the orangish trunk at the back and upper left are dragon trees (*Dracaena draco*) from the Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco and Cape Verde

It’s unlikely that we’ll be dealing with snow around here, and nighttime usually brings a halt to tree touring, but if you find yourself anxious to get out on a rainy day this winter, we strongly urge you to make the trip to Salesforce Park and enjoy this bold, horticulturally rich garden in the sky. You’ll want to visit in every season; arborescent aloes are in flower now, along with some South African and Australian members of the Protea family. Later in winter, California natives will pop, along with those from Chile and the Mediterranean.

We can also recommend some take-out from Luke’s Lobsters, an urban shack at the corner of 2nd and Mission streets. The lobster rolls are the best this side of Maine, which, incidentally, does not enjoy a mild mediterranean climate like ours.

Pacific Heights "Social-Distancing" Tree Tour 11-29-20

December 01, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

With significant rains still at least another week away, we enjoyed a picture-perfect day in Pacific Heights, focusing on trees between Scott and Gough streets, and California and Vallejo streets. The neighborhood is filled with large and elegant homes, often with spectacular views of the Bay, and a number of international consulates. It also presents a delightful diversity of trees, some among the largest of their kind in the city.

We begin this tour at an exceptional specimen at 2760 Sacramento Street, then head east to Steiner Street, north past Alta Plaza Park to Washington Street, east on Washington to Fillmore Street, north on Fillmore to Pacific Avenue, east on Pacific to Webster Street, north on Webster to Broadway, east on Broadway to Buchanan Street, north on Buchanan to Vallejo Street, and east on Vallejo to Gough Street. The tour then turns south on Gough to Broadway, west on Broadway to Octavia Street, south on Octavia to Washington, west alongside Lafayette Park to Laguna Street, and then south on Laguna alongside the park to Sacramento, west on Sacramento to Fillmore, south on Fillmore to California Street, west on California to Scott Street, and finally north on Scott to Sacramento, ending a few doors west of the tour’s beginning. This walk is just over 2-½ miles long.

soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria) - a “City Champion” - biggest soapbark in San Francisco - and one of the best trees of any kind in the City! — soapbark tree (*Quillaja saponaria*) - a “City Champion” - biggest soapbark in San Francisco - and one of the best trees of any kind in the City!

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 47. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Sacramento Street, Scott to Pierce, north side

1. 2760 Sacramento Soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria), Chile (2 other trees, across the street and at 2730 Sacramento; very rare in San Francisco). This tree at 2760 Sacramento is a “City Champion” - the biggest of its species in San Francisco, and a spectacular tree generally.

Sacramento Street, Pierce to Steiner, south side

2. 2693 Sacramento Cypress (Hesperocyparis sp.), this is a California native cypress, but the different species are often hard to tell apart, and this one stumped our three experts.

African fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior) at 2689 Sacramento - a beautiful specimen! — African fern pine (*Afrocarpus gracilior*) at 2689 Sacramento - a beautiful specimen!

3. 2689 Sacramento African fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior), East and South Africa

4. 2672 Sacramento Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), Eastern Mediterranean Basin (seed pods can be used to make a chocolate substitute— though not recommended for true chocolate lovers)

5. 2671 Sacramento Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), Eastern Australia

**Note the attractive shade garden against the house at 2621 Sacramento**

Turn left on Steiner. Steiner Street, Sacramento to Clay, west side

6. 2211 Steiner Rusty-leaf fig (Ficus rubiginosa), Eastern Australia

7. 2231 Steiner Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

8. 2243 Steiner Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), southeast Australia

SE Corner of Alta Plaza Park (a lot of water runs off this corner of the park, which benefits these next two moisture-living species)

9. Clay at Steiner Red alder (Alnus rubra), Alaska to Santa Barbara; a San Francisco native!

10. Steiner at Clay Sourgum or tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), Eastern North America

Steiner Street, Clay to Washington, east side

11. 2302 Steiner Princess tree (Tibouchina urvilleana), Southern Brazil (usually a shrub, sometimes becoming a tree; notable for its intense purple flowers; this plant loves San Francisco conditions!)

Turn right (east) on Washington. Washington Street, Steiner to Fillmore, north side

12. 2400 Steiner New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (tree is on Washington). In the City’s 2017 tree census, this tree was identified as the 2nd most common tree in San Francisco.

13. 2566 Washington Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Eastern USA to Mexico and Central America

14. 2560 Washington Springfire metrosideros (Metrosideros collina ‘Springfire’), French Polynesia and Cook Islands (this is the only one we know of in San Francisco)

Turn left on Fillmore. Fillmore Street, Washington to Jackson, west side

Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) — Japanese black pine (*Pinus* *thunbergii*)

15. 2401 Fillmore Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa), South and southeast Asia to Australia (an uncommon form of this species; note the small pinkish fruits)

16. 2411 Fillmore Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan

Fillmore Street, Jackson to Pacific, west side

17. 2529 Fillmore Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), East Asia. One of the biggest of this species in San Francisco.

Turn right (east) on Pacific. Pacific Avenue, Fillmore to Webster, south side

18. 2351 Pacific Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile

19. 2351 Pacific Olives (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

8 London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia) have been “pleached” at 2301 Pacific — 8 London plane trees (*Platanus* x *acerifolia*) have been “pleached” at 2301 Pacific

20. 2301 Pacific London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (these 8 trees, wrapping around the corner onto Webster, have been pleached; google it to see what that’s all about. An amazing sight!)

**Turn left and head north on Webster to Broadway, passing the Italian Consulate at 2590 Webster**

Broadway, Webster to Buchanan, north side

21. 2190 Broadway Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), southeast USA (a particularly fine specimen next to the corner of the building; 2 more trees to the right, and many in the neighborhood)

22. 2120 Broadway London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (these trees, in front of Hamlin School, have been pollarded, meaning that they have been repetitively cut, year after year, at a particular point to cause the tree to generate a knobby end - google “pollard” for more info)

**Turn left and head north (downhill) on Buchanan**

Buchanan Street, Broadway to Vallejo, east side

23. 2760 Buchanan Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), hybrid of East Asian species

**Turn right and head east on Vallejo**

Vallejo Street, Buchanan to Laguna, north side

24. 2090 Vallejo Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’), a variety of a Eurasian species (6 trees on Buchanan)

25. 2090 Vallejo Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay

Vallejo Street, Laguna to Octavia, north side

26. 2699 Laguna Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (a fine specimen is across the street, but many can be found throughout the neighborhood; first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here)

27. 1900 Vallejo Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia

Vallejo Street, Octavia to Gough, north side

28. 1868 Vallejo Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Eastern Australia (2 trees flank the entry walk; the crushed leaves smell of lemon)

Vallejo Street, east of Gough, north side

Northern rātā (Metrosideros robusta) - San Francisco’s largest example of this species — Northern rātā (*Metrosideros* *robusta*) - San Francisco’s largest example of this species

29. 1772-1790 Vallejo Northern rātā (Metrosideros robusta), New Zealand (very rare in San Francisco; this is a “City Champion” - the biggest of its kind in the City!) This tree was nominated to be an official “landmark tree” by the City, but the nomination failed in a 3-2 vote at the City’s Urban Forestry Council.

30. 1772 Vallejo Tītoki tree (Alectryon excelsus), New Zealand (a “City Champion”: the biggest of its kind in San Francisco)

**Return to Gough and turn left to head uphill/south**

Gough Street, Vallejo to Broadway, east side

31. 2424 Gough London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (these trees were pollarded early in their lives, but have since been allowed to take a more natural shape)

32. 2424 Gough Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Japan, China, Korea

**Note the Greek Consulate at 2441 Gough; then turn right and head west on Broadway to Octavia**

Octavia Street, Broadway to Pacific, west side

33. 2415 Octavia Silver dollar gum (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), Eastern Australia

34. 2401 Octavia Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands, Spain

**Continue south/uphill on Octavia Street**

Octavia Street, Jackson to Washington, east side

34-B 2280 Octavia California bay (Umbellularia californica), Oregon and California, (inside the lower curved wall within the median). This is a San Francisco native tree - very rare to see it as a street tree but it’s doing well in his Octavia Street median.

35. 2280 Octavia. Avocado tree (Persea americana), Mexico and Central America (inside the upper curved wall within the median)

Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) hedge at the Spreckels Mansion — Monterey cypress (*Hesperocyparis macrocarpa*) hedge at the Spreckels Mansion

36. 2280 Octavia Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), Carmel, CA, native (sheared into a spectacular hedge around the old Spreckels Mansion, now owned by author Danielle Steel)

Turn right on Washington. Washington Street, Octavia to Laguna, south side

37. Lafayette Park Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (the young ginkgoes along Washington have been badly affected by the persistent west winds on this hill)

Turn left on Laguna. Laguna Street, Washington to Sacramento, east side

38. Lafayette Park Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), Carmel, CA, native (2 trees flanking the Clay Street entrance to Lafayette Park)

39. Lafayette Park She-oak (Casuarina sp.), Eastern Australia

40. Lafayette Park Willow (Salix sp.), Eastern North America (near the southwest corner of the park)

Turn right on Sacramento. Sacramento Street, Laguna to Buchanan, south side

41. 2201 Sacramento Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), southwest Australia

42. 2241 Sacramento After Dark peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa ‘Jervis Bay Afterdark’), southwest Australian cultivar (2 young trees flanking the gate; often less vigorous than the green-leafed species)

Sacramento Street, Buchanan to Webster, south side

43. 2323 Sacramento Sweetshade tree (Hymenosporum flavum), Eastern Australia

44. 2323 Sacramento Brush cherry (Syzygium australe, formerly S. paniculatum), Eastern Australia

**Continue on Sacramento to Fillmore, then turn left and head south on Fillmore (lined with Indian laurel figs and evergreen pears) to California; then turn right on California**

California Street, Fillmore to Steiner, south side

45. 2435 California (Mollie Stone’s) Hedge maple (Acer campestre), Eurasia and North Africa (this is the largest hedge maple that we know of in San Francisco)

46. Parking lot across the street Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), Canary Islands (the tall narrow pines at east and west ends of the parking lot)

California Street, Steiner to Pierce, south side

47. 2501 California Trident maple (Acer buergerianum), East Asia (several colorful street trees on both sides of the gas station)

Continue west on California to Scott, then north on Scott to Sacramento; the tour begins on Sacramento just east of Scott.

Noe Valley (north) "Social-Distancing" Tree Tour 11-22-20

November 24, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

We return to Noe Valley for another tour exploring the arboreal richness of this neighborhood - but this time, the northern half of the neighborhood. For this tour, we start out at The Animal Company, in its new headquarters at 24th and Castro streets, and remain north of 24th Street, between Douglass and Vicksburg streets.

Today’s walk begins with an exceptional specimen on Castro Street, just north of 24th Street. The walk continues uphill, heads west on Elizabeth Street to Douglass Street, then north on Douglass to 23rd Street, and east on 23rd all the way to Vicksburg Street. At Vicksburg, the walk heads south to 24th Street, and then returns to its start at 24th and Castro, with a quick jog north on Noe for a special tree. This walk is roughly two miles long

Sweetshade tree (Hymenosporum flavum) - biggest one in San Francisco! — Sweetshade tree (*Hymenosporum* *flavum*) - biggest one in San Francisco!

Our trio of tree geeks responsible for this tour is the same: Jason Dewees (author of Designing with Palms), Richard Turner (retired editor of Pacific Horticulture), and I’m Mike Sullivan, author of Trees of San Francisco.

Castro Street, 24th to Elizabeth, west side

1. 1230 Castro Sweetshade tree (Hymenosporum flavum), Eastern Australia. This is a “City Champion” - the biggest of its species in San Francisco!

Turn left on Elizabeth Street. Elizabeth Street, Castro to Diamond, south side

2. 605 Elizabeth Washington thorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) Eastern USA

berries of Washington thorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) — berries of Washington thorn (*Crataegus phaenopyrum*)

3. 639 Elizabeth Australian willow (Geijera parviflora), Eastern & southeast Australia

4. 662 Elizabeth Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), East Asia (2 trees across the street)

5. 665 Elizabeth Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), Southern China

6. 665 Elizabeth New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (a row of 11 tightly pruned trees alongside St Philip Catholic Church)

Elizabeth Street, Diamond to Douglass, south side

7. 700 Diamond Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile (the tree is on Elizabeth Street)

8. 709 Elizabeth Kwanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’), East Asia

9. 719 Elizabeth Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), China (the furry trunks of this very nice specimen are characteristic of this palm)

10. 761 Elizabeth Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Japan, China, Korea

11. 795 Elizabeth Myoporum or ngaio in Māori (Myoporum laetum), New Zealand (this species is dying all over San Francisco, due to an insect pest called thrips)

Noe Valley Courts

12. southwest corner of Douglass and Elizabeth Silk oak (Grevillea robusta), Eastern Australia (a row of 5 trees along the edge of the park)

Turn right on Douglass. Douglass Street, Elizabeth to 23rd, west side

13. 716 Douglass Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China

14. 708 Douglass White champaca (Magnolia x alba), a hybrid of southeast Asian species (watch for the fragrant white flowers tucked within the foliage)

15. 706 Douglas Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Argentina, Bolivia

Turn right on 23rd. 23rd Street, Douglass to Eureka, north side

16. 697 Douglass Shoestring acacia (Acacia stenophylla), Australia (4 trees on 23rd). This is a very rare tree for San Francisco’s streets, although it is the tree planted in the median of Guerrero from 16th to 24th Streets.

17. 697 Douglass Tahitian lime (Citrus X latifolia), horticultural form of southeast Asian species (tree is in rear yard on 23rd; also a Mandarin orange (Citrus x tangerina; tree is to the right of the lime)

18. 4250 - 23rd Lemonwood, or tarata in Māori (Pittosporum eugenioides), New Zealand

19. 4250 - 23rd Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay

23rd Street, Eureka to Diamond, north side

20. 4232 - 23rd Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan

21. 4228 - 23rd Moonlight grevillea (Grevillea ‘Moonlight’), hybrid of Australian species

22. 4206 - 23rd Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea), Mexico & Central America

23rd Street, Diamond to Castro, north side, then south side

23. 4172 - 23rd Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), Baja California (a trio!)

**Cross 23rd carefully; there is a surprising amount of traffic on this street**

24. 4179 - 23rd Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), Lord Howe Island, Australia (tree is growing in a large box on the walkway below the sidewalk)

25. 4175 - 23rd Bronze loquat (Rhaphiolepis deflexa, syn. Eriobotrya deflexa), Southern China and Vietnam

26. 4173 - 23rd Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (2 trees; formerly SF’s most planted street tree)

27. 4148 - 23rd Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil ( 7 trees across the street, close to the house)

28. 4149 - 23rd Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia

close-up of a leaf - Silk oak (Grevillea robusta) — close-up of a leaf - Silk oak (*Grevillea robusta*)

29. 4143 - 23rd Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Eastern USA to Mexico & Central America

30. 4131 - 23rd Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile

31. 4125 - 23rd Forest Pansy eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’), Eastern USA (come back in spring for its bright magenta flowers)

32. 4121 - 23rd Silk oak (Grevillea robusta), Eastern Australia (not remotely related to oaks)

33. 4107 - 23rd Bailey’s acacia (Acacia baileyana), Eastern Australia

23rd Street, Castro to Noe, north side

34. 4082 - 23rd Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa), South & southeast Asia to Australia (an uncommon form of this species; note the pinkish fruits on the sunny side of the tree)

35. 4074 - 23rd London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species

36. 4062 - 23rd Purple potato bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii), Paraguay (typically a large shrub, this has been trained into a tree-like form; flowers all year)

37. 4052 - 23rd Hercules tree aloe (Aloidendron ‘Hercules’), hybrid of two South African species; the flowering shrub with it is an island mallow, Malva assurgentiflora; note the well-tended succulent garden against the house)

38. 4042 - 23rd Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here)

[39 not used]

40. 4038 - 23rd Marri (Corymbia calophylla), W Australia (looks like a white-flowered Corymbia ficifolia, #46, but this is a distinct species with white flowers and differently shaped fruits

41. 4024 - 23rd Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Eastern Australia (the crushed leaves smell of lemon)

42. 998 Noe Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil (tree is on Noe, just north of 23rd; one of SF’s best specimens)

23rd Street, Noe to Sanchez, north side

43. 3998 - 23rd Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), East Asia (6 trees create a tunnel-like effect here)

44. 3984 - 23rd Giant bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), South Africa (likely SF’s biggest)

**Cross 23rd carefully, to the south side of the street**

45. 3947 - 23rd Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), southwest Australia

46. 3945 - 23rd Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), southwest Australia

We loved this garage door on 23rd Street!

47. 3915 - 23rd Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), southeast Australia

23rd Street, Sanchez to Vicksburg, south side

48. 3883 - 23rd Red ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon), Eastern & southeast Australia

49. 3879 - 23rd African fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior), East & South Africa

Turn right at Vicksburg. Vicksburg Street, 23rd to 24th, west side

50. 102 Vicksburg Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina), Eastern Australia (this tree grows in streamside locations in the wild; hence, the common name; SF’s most commonly planted street tree)

51. 138 Vicksburg Snow-in-summer tree or flax-leaf paperbark (Melaleuca linariifolia), Eastern Australia (feel the spongy bark)

52. 138 Vicksburg Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Iran

Cross 24th Street, and turn right on 24th. 24th Street, Vicksburg to Sanchez, south side

Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) - the first tree ever planted by Friends of the Urban Forest in April 1981! — Glossy privet (*Ligustrum lucidum*) - the first tree ever planted by Friends of the Urban Forest in April 1981!

53. NW corner of Noe Valley Town Square Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), a California and even a San Francisco native!

54. 3885 - 24th Little Gem magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’), southeast USA

24th Street, Sanchez to Noe, south side

55. 3913 - 24th Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), Southern China (this is the very first tree planted by Friends of the Urban Forest, in April 1981; note the new location here of Ristorante Bacco, the editor’s favorite Italian restaurant)

56. 3917 - 24th Weeping bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis), Eastern Australia

57. 3953 - 24th Red maple (Acer rubrum), Florida to Canada to Texas

close-up of leaf: Red maple (Acer rubrum) — close-up of leaf: Red maple (*Acer rubrum*)

Jog up Noe to #1082, then backtrack. Noe Street, just north of 24th, west side

58. 1082 Noe Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), southeast USA (this specimen was planted on April 22, 2000, in celebration of Earth Day)

24th Street, Noe to Castro, south side

59. 4021 Noe Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), China & Vietnam (this species seldom does well in SF)

This tree walk ends at Castro and 24th streets, near its beginning at 1230 Castro, just north of 24th.

NOPA “Social-Distancing” Tree Tour 11-14-20

November 17, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

As long as we have good weather, like this past Sunday in NOPA, we’ll continue chalking out these tours. Thanks to all who greet us so warmly on these tours and share with us their enthusiasm for our modest attempts to spread the good word about San Francisco’s incredible urban forest.

Soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria) at 736 Masonic - largest soapbark in San Francisco — Soapbark tree (*Quillaja saponaria*) at 736 Masonic - largest soapbark in San Francisco

Today’s walk in the neighborhood known as NOPA, on the north side of the Panhandle, begins with an outstanding tree on Masonic Avenue, just north of Hayes Street. From there, it heads north to Grove Street, east on Grove to Lyon Street, north on Lyon to McAllister Street, east on McAllister to Baker Street, and north on Baker to Turk. On Turk, it heads west for about a third of a block, before returning to Baker and turning south to Golden Gate Avenue, then east on Golden Gate to Broderick Street, north on Broderick to Turk, then back south on Broderick to Grove, west on Grove to Baker, south on Baker to Hayes, and finally west on Hayes back to the start of the walk at Masonic. This walk is just under two miles long.

Masonic Avenue, Hayes to Grove, east side

1. 736 Masonic Soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria), Chile (city champion; biggest of this species in San Francisco!)

2. 700 block of Masonic Shamel ash (Fraxinus uhdei), Mexico (a row of tall trees across the street on the west side of Masonic, along side City College’s John Adams Center)

Turn right (east) on Grove Street.

Grove Street, Masonic to Central, north side

3. 1798 Grove Snow-in-summer tree or flax-leaf paperbark (Melaleuca linariifolia), East Australia (feel the spongy bark)

4. 1772 Grove Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina), Eastern Australia (this tree grows in streamside locations in the wild; hence, the common name; the tree is also known as a “small leaf tristania”). This is San Francisco’s most commonly planted street tree

Grove Street, Central to Lyon, north side

5. 1690 Grove Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia (3 trees)

6. 1660 Grove Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), China & Vietnam (this species seldom does well in San Francisco, but these seem to be thriving, at least in this season)

7. 1656 Grove Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x ‘Montic’), Southern China & Japan to Southeast Asia

8. 1646 Grove Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus), Mediterranean Basin (usually a large shrub)

Turn left (north) on Lyon Street.

Lyon Street, Grove to Fulton, east side

9. 542 Lyon Guadalupe palm (Brahea edulis), Guadalupe Island, Mexico (perfectly adapted to San Francisco)

Lyon Street, Fulton to McAllister, west side

Dwarf southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’) — Dwarf southern magnolia (*Magnolia grandiflora* ‘Little Gem’)

10. 605 Lyon Japanese blueberry tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens), East Asia

Turn right (east) on McAllister Street.

McAllister Street, Lyon to Baker, north side

11. 1872 McAllister Dwarf southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’), Southeast USA

12. 1856 McAllister Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’), a variety of a Eurasian species

13. 1836 McAllister Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), South & Southeast Asia to Northern Australia (4 trees; a common, albeit problematic, street tree throughout San Francisco)

14. 1806 McAllister Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (formerly San Francisco’s most planted street tree)

We loved this garage door on Grove Street!

15. 1801 McAllister Firethorn (Pyracantha hybrid), Eurasia (across the street; the crooked tree with bright red fruits)

Turn left (north) on Baker Street.

Baker Street, McAllister to Golden Gate, west side

16. 711 Baker Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), a California native confined to two small populations near Carmel, California, at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and at Point Lobos.

17. 715 Baker Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile (this vigorous tree is sending up shoots in nearby tree boxes and in cracks in the sidewalk)

Baker Street, Golden Gate to Turk, west side

Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa) A giant tree - biggest peppermint willow in San Francisco! — Peppermint willow (*Agonis flexuosa) A giant tree - biggest peppermint willow in San Francisco!*

18. 841 Baker Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), Southwest Australia (this giant is a city champion – the biggest of its species in San Francisco!)

Turn left on Turk Street.

Turk Street, west of Baker, south side

19. 861 Baker Tītoki tree (Alectryon excelsus), New Zealand (a very rare tree in San Francisco, but we think undeservedly rare!)

20. 861 Baker Avocado tree (Persea americana), Mexico & Central America

22. 2037 Turk Moreton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla), Eastern Australia (2 trees well inside the fenced yard)

23. 2047 Turk Bronze loquat (Rhaphiolepis deflexa, syn. Eriobotrya deflexa), Southern China and Vietnam

**Turn around and return to Baker, cross street and head right (downhill) on Baker**

Baker Street, Turk to Golden Gate, east side

23. 830 Baker Trident maple (Acer buergerianum), East Asia

Turn left on Golden Gate Avenue.

Golden Gate Avenue, Baker to Broderick, north side

24. 1888 Golden Gate Primrose tree (Lagunaria patersonii), Australia & South Pacific Islands

Turn left (north) on Broderick Street.

tree of heaven, AKA “the tree that grows in Brooklyn” (Ailanthus altissima) — tree of heaven, AKA “the tree that grows in Brooklyn” (*Ailanthus altissima*)

Broderick Street, Golden Gate to Turk, west side

25. 929 Broderick Tree of heaven, also known as “the tree that grows in Brooklyn” (Ailanthus altissima), China & Taiwan. It’s considered a weed tree in many places around the world, but it’s uncommon in San Francisco. This one is a city champion: the biggest of its kind in San Francisco!

**Head north to the traffic signal at Turk and cross to the east side of Broderick, then turn right (south) on Broderick**

Broderick Street, Turk to Golden Gate, east side

26. 914 Broderick Cherry laurel, English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Black Sea

Broderick Street, Golden Gate to McAllister, east side

27. 850 Broderick Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan (4 trees)

28. 1698 McAllister Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia (row of 5 trees)

closeup - leaves and (very fragrant!) flowers of Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum) — closeup - leaves and (very fragrant!) flowers of Victorian box (*Pittosporum undulatum*)

29. 1700 McAllister Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil (2 young trees on McAllister, at corner of Broderick, across the street)

Broderick Street, McAllister to Fulton, east side

30. 730 Broderick Elegant water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Elegant’), Eastern Australia

31. 1384 Fulton London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species

At Fulton Street, cross Fulton and continue south on Broderick Street.

Broderick Street, Fulton to Grove, west side

32. 641 Broderick Fern-leaf Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius); this subspecies is found in California’s Channel Islands, except Catalina Island.

33. 639 Broderick Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), a hybrid of Mediterranean species (first introduced in San Francisco – click here for the interesting story of this tree)

34. 601 Broderick European weeping birch (Betula pendula), Eurasia (not usually well-adapted to San Francisco)

Turn right on Grover Street.

Grove Street, Broderick to Baker, north side

35. 601 Broderick Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (row of young trees are on Grove)

[36 not used]

37. 1432 Grove Beaked yucca (Yucca rostrata), Texas & N Mexico (4 young trees with stiff, sharply pointed leaves)

38. 1432 Grove Dragon tree (Dracaena draco), Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, and W Morocco (a very cool tree - far too rare in San Francisco!)

39. 1477 Grove Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), Southeastern Australia (3 trees across the street, alongside the San Francisco Health Care & Rehab Center)

40. 1480 Grove Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), Southern China

41. 1477 Grove Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia), Southeastern Australia (across the street at the corner of the San Francisco Health Care & Rehab Center)

Grove Street, Baker to Lyon, north side

42. 1500 Grove Myoporum or ngaio in Māori (Myoporum laetum), New Zealand (this species is dying all over San Francisco, due to an insect pest called thrips; these trees, on both Grove and Baker, are doing uncommonly well)

**Turn left and head south on Baker toward Hayes**

Baker Street, Grove to Hayes, west side

43. 1501 Grove Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) (two trees are on Baker side of the building). This is one of the few trees native to San Francisco

44. 1477 Grove Red ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon), Eastern & Southeastern Australia (tree is across the street at San Francisco Health Care & Rehab Center)

45. 405 Baker Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), Southwest Australia

Cross Hayes Street, and turn right on Hayes.

Hayes Street, Baker to Lyon, south side

46. 1500 Hayes Round-leaf sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’), Eastern USA to Mexico & C America (a selection with rounded leaf lobes, quite distinct from the other sweetgums; most of the young trees in this block are this selection)

47. 1500 Hayes Yarwood plane tree (Platanus occidentalis ‘Yarwood’), Eastern North America (the row of trees on the south side of Gene Friend Way; this selection originated at Sather Tower, UC Berkeley)

48. 370 Lyon Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands (2 trees within the fenced yard on Lyon, just south of Hayes)

Hayes Street, Lyon to Central, south side

49. 1673 Hayes Red-leaf photinia (Photinia x fraseri), China (more commonly seen as a dense shrub with red new foliage along our freeways)

50. 464 Central Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia (3 trees, just south of Hayes; this tree loves San Francisco’s climate)

Hayes Street, Central to Masonic, south side

51. 1731 Hayes Kwanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’), East Asia

52. 1757 Hayes Australian willow (Geijera parviflora), Eastern & Southeastern Australia

Turn right on Masonic.

This tree walk ends at Masonic Avenue, near its beginning at 736 Masonic, just north of Hayes.

Cow Hollow "Social-Distancing" Tree Tour 11-8-20

November 09, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

Tour starting point - the now-abandoned Russian Consulate at 2790 Green Street

This week’s tree walk takes us to the adjoining neighborhoods of Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights, among the more affluent neighborhoods in the City. Elegant homes perch along tree-lined streets affording magnificent views north to the Bay. Generous budgets for landscape maintenance in this area often mean that trees are regularly pruned and shaped to preserve those views.

This walk begins next to the former Russian Consulate on outer Green Street (they were invited to leave a couple of years ago, and the building, still own by Russia, appears to be empty now). The walk heads east on Green to Broderick Street, north on Broderick to Union Street, west on Union to Baker Street. It then crosses Union and continues east on Union to Divisadero Street and uphill to Vallejo Street (in Pacific Heights). The walk heads west on Vallejo to Baker Street, and back downhill to the start at Green and Baker. This walk is about a mile long, and does include both uphill and downhill stretches.

Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana), with the Russian consulate in the background on the left — Kentia palms (*Howea forsteriana*), with the Russian consulate in the background on the left

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 37. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Green Street, Baker to Broderick, north side

1. 2770 Green Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana), Lord Howe Island, Australia (a pair of trees in the sidewalk next to this beautifully tended garden, designed by Piotr Mazurek of Garden Fantasia)

2. 2750 Green Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), Himalayas

3. 2722 Green Ray Hartman ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), hybrid of CA native species

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) — Southern magnolia (*Magnolia grandiflora*)

4. 2700 Green Bronze loquat (Rhaphiolepis deflexa, syn. Eriobotrya deflexa), Southern China and Vietnam

5. 2700 Green New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (2 trees; this is the #2 most common tree in San Francisco, where it loves the climate; note the aerial roots)

Turn left on Broderick. Broderick Street, Green to Union, west side

6. 2745 Broderick Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southeast USA (state tree of Mississippi)

Turn left on Union. Union Street, Broderick to Baker, south side

7. 2727 Union Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile (4 trees)

8. 2749 Union Moreton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla), Eastern Australia (note the aerial roots emerging from the trunk)

Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) — Mediterranean fan palm (*Chamaerops humilis*)

9. 2759 Union Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), Southeast Australia

Cross the Street at Baker and backtrack on Union’s north side. Union Street, Baker to Broderick, north side

10. 2784 Union Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Western Mediterranean Basin (northernmost natural range of any palm in the world)

11. 2728 Union Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (3 trees)

12. 2700 Union Red maple (Acer rubrum), Florida to Canada to Texas

Union Street, Broderick to Divisadero, north side

13. 2680 Union Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), West and Central China (foliage is taking on autumn colors)

14. 2664 Union Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin (a magnificent specimen)

15. 2636 Union Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’ or ‘Kaizuka’), East Asia (4 trees)

[16 not used]

17. 2616 Union Rusty-leafed fig (Ficus rubiginosa), Eastern Australia (another fig, Ficus pumila, is climbing on the walls below and behind these 5 trees)

18. 2600 Union Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), South & Southeast Asia to Northern Australia (4 trees; a common, albeit problematic, street tree throughout San Francisco)

19. 2600 Union Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia (tree is on Divisadero; this tree loves San Francisco’s climate; the flowers on this specimen are orange)

Turn right/uphill at Divisidero. Divisadero Street, Union to Green, east side

20. 2740 Divisadero European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Europe (the tree is against the stairs, next to the utilities)

21. 2710 Divisadero Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), China (these two trees have been “skinned”: the fuzzy leaf bases have been pruned off to reveal the ringed trunks; note this richly planted garden, also designed by Piotr Mazurek)

**Continue uphill one more block to Vallejo**

You’ll never see a more beautiful or densely planted sidewalk cut than under this Trachycarpus!

Turn right at Vallejo Street. Vallejo Street, Divisadero to Broderick, north side

22. 2898 Vallejo Eucryphia trees (Eucryphia x ‘Nymansay’), hybrid of Chilean species (2 trees flanking the front window; fragrant white flowers in August)

Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus) — Brisbane box (*Lophostemon confertus*)

23. 2730 Vallejo Akebono flowering cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’), Japan

24. 2732 Vallejo Hybrid date palm (Phoenix x, likely P. canariensis x roebelenii)

25. 2732 Vallejo Snowy River wattle (Acacia boormanii), Southeast Australia (uncommon in San Francisco; these trees create a curtain to shield the windows)

26. 2760 Vallejo Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), Eastern Mediterranean Basin (seed pods can be used to make a chocolate substitute—though not recommended for true chocolate lovers)

27. 2760 Vallejo Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia

28. 2780-2782 Vallejo London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (these five trees, like many in the neighborhood, have been pollarded over the years, meaning repetitively cut at the same point to cause the branch to form a large, bulbous endpoint)

London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia) leaf — London plane tree (*Platanus* x *acerifolia*) leaf

Vallejo Street, Broderick to Baker, north side

29. 2820 Vallejo Wisteria “tree” (Wisteria sinensis), China (typically a vine, this one has been pruned into a tree-like shrub)

30. 2828 Vallejo Red horse chestnut (Aesculus x carnea), hybrid of European and American species (4 trees; these are city champions - the biggest in San Francisco; they have spectacular red flowers when they bloom in May)

**The pink flowering vine on the fence in front of 2856 Vallejo is Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’**

31. 2858 Vallejo Little Gem magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’), Southeast USA

32. 2880 Vallejo Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile

33. 2900 Vallejo Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Australia, Norfolk Island (tree is across the street, at the northwest corner of Vallejo and Baker; it’s rare to see this tree planted in the sidewalk)

Turn right/downhill at Baker Street. Baker Street, Vallejo to Green, east side

34. 2898 Vallejo Cabbage tree or tī kōuka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand (rows of this tree are on both sides of Baker, north of Vallejo)

35. 2536 Baker New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), New Zealand (this species has two color forms in San Francisco - pink and deeper red; the tree is well adapted to San Francisco’s climate and soils)

36. 2550 Baker European weeping birch (Betula pendula), Eurasia (not usually well-adapted to San Francisco)

37. 2552 Baker Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (formerly San Francisco’s most planted tree, but rarely planted now)

This tree walk ends at the Russian Consulate at the northeast corner of Green and Baker, a few yards ahead.

A red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia) in full flower in the Mission District — A red flowering gum (*Corymbia ficifolia*) in full flower in the Mission District

A Long Goodbye to San Francisco's Best Tree?

November 06, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

The red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia) is, in my opinion, San Francisco’s iconic tree. There’s no other tree that puts out such a show from July to October - massive inflorescences of red, orange, pink or white flowers that cover the entire crown of the tree. I still remember my brother Mark visiting from upstate New York a few years ago - as we passed a red gum in the Mission, he turned to me and said “Wow - what’s THAT tree”?! And the tree absolutely loves our cool coastal Mediterranean climate, very much like its home in southwestern Australia, near Perth. You won’t find many red gums in Walnut Creek or Concord, but they thrive in San Francisco.

Another reason to be patriotic about this tree in San Francisco: the largest red gum in the United States is in the St. Francis Wood neighborhood, at the corner of Monterey Boulevard and Junipero Serra Boulevard. In fact, most of Monterey Boulevard in St. Francis Wood are lined with towering red gums.

So it’s very sad that the City has stopped planting these magnificent trees - almost none have been planted in the last decade. Why? Because they have very wide trunks, and require a big sidewalk cut, meaning that there are fewer spots that are well suited for them than smaller trees. I suspect (now that the City is responsible for street tree maintenance) it may also have to do with the expense of maintaining these trees as they mature - red gums can get very big, and are more expensive to prune and maintain than smaller trees. I’ve noticed that the we’re seeing more and more maple trees on our streets (familiar to my brother Mark), but our urban forest is gradually losing some of the color that makes San Francisco special.

I believe in “right tree in the right place”, so red gums doesn’t belong everywhere. But there’s no reason to stop planting this amazing, beautiful, iconic, San Francisco-loving tree entirely. There are plenty of places in the City with enough room for Corymbia ficifolia. Let’s not give up on this this magnificent tree! Help me nag the Department of Public Works and Friends of the Urban Forest to restart the planting of one of our best street trees!

Because otherwise, it’s a long goodbye to our red flowering gums - we’ll see fewer and fewer each year, and our urban forest will look a little bit more like my brother Mark’s green (but a bit dull) upstate New York forest.

Monterey Boulevard median in St. Francis Wood

Westwood Park “Social-Distancing” Tree Tour 11-1-20

November 03, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

Immediately west of San Francisco City College lies the quiet neighborhood of Westwood Park, where most of the bungalow-style homes date back to the 1920s. A surprisingly warm, picture-perfect autumn day welcomed us for our seventeenth tree tour, offering up some uncommon and interesting trees along the gently curving streets and in the many horticulturally rich front gardens—somewhat surprising since this can be a fairly foggy neighborhood.

This tree walk begins at the northwest corner of the intersection of Miramar Avenue and Ocean Avenue, the southern edge of Westwood Park. It heads north to Southwood Drive, east on Southwood and then north on Plymouth Avenue to Montecito Avenue, southwest on Montecito to Eastwood Drive, west on Eastwood to Miramar (“Main Street” of Westwood Park), and north on Miramar to Monterey Blvd. The tour then tucks briefly into Monterey Heights on Yerba Buena Avenue, returning to Monterey and heading west to Northgate Drive, then south on Northgate (into Mt Davidson Manor), west on Darien Way, southwest on Manor Drive, east on Kenwood Way, and back into Westwood Park on Faxon. It then heads south on Faxon to Wildwood, east on Wildwood, and finally south on Miramar to the beginning at Ocean. This walk is about two miles long.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 54. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Miramar Avenue at Ocean, northwest corner

1. 1500 Ocean Red-flowering gum hybrid (Corymbia ficifolia hybrid?), Southwest Australia (the pendulous branches and red central leaf vein suggest that it is not a pure Corymbia ficifolia)

Miramar Avenue median at Southwood, north side of intersection

2. Median Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea), Mediterranean Basin (source of pine nuts/pignoli)

Southwood Drive, Miramar to San Ramon, west side

3. 80 Southwood Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia (this tree loves SF’s climate)

4. 55 Southwood Bloodwood (Baloghia inophylla), Eastern Australia (quite possibly the only one of its kind in SF, outside of the Botanical Gardens)

5. 44 Southwood Japanese blueberry tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens), Eastern Asia

6. 32 Southwood Grapefruit tree (Citrus x paradisi), hybrid of Southeast Asian species

7. 101 San Ramon Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Argentina, Bolivia (who would think it survive this far west in SF; perhaps another sign of a warming climate)

8. 101 San Ramon Edible fig tree (Ficus carica), Mediterranean Basin & Middle East (this young specimen has deeply lobed leaves)

Plymouth Avenue, San Ramon to Wildwood, west side

9. 1315 Plymouth Silver tree (Leucadendron argenteum), Cape Town, South Africa

Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x ‘Montic’) — Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (*Rhaphiolepis* x ‘Montic’)

10. 1315 Plymouth Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia x candida ‘Double White’), Andes Mountains of South America

Plymouth Avenue, Wildwood to Montecito, west side

11. 1401 Plymouth Cork oak (Quercus suber), Spain & Portugal (the bark of this tree provides the cork used in wine bottles)

12. 1405 Plymouth Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here)

12B. 1422 Plymouth Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x ‘Montic’), South China & Japan to Southeast Asia

13. 401 Montecito Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina), Eastern Australia (it grows in streamside locations in the wild; hence, the common name; SF’s most commonly planted street tree)

14. 401 Montecito Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), Chile (stiff, sharply pointed are said to prohibit monkeys, or anything else, from climbing the trees)

**Turn left on Montecito Avenue and right on Eastwood Drive**

Eastwood Drive, Montecito to Miramar, northeast side

15. 176 Eastwood Cook pine (Araucaria columnaris), New Caledonia

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Monterey to Southwest Oregon; CA coastal native (tallest tree species in the world)

Lemon (Citrus x limon) South Asia

16. 690 Miramar Pindo palm (Butia odorata), Southern Brazil & Uruguay

Miramar Avenue, Eastwood to Northwood, east side

17. 730 Miramar Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea), Central America

Miramar Avenue, Northwood to Monterey, east side

18. 800 Miramar Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), East Asia

***Cross Monterey carefully at the crosswalk (traffic does not have a stop sign), then climb the stairs and cross the other half of Monterey at the crosswalk***

Yerba Buena Avenue, north of Monterey, east side

19. 990 Monterey Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California native! (one of the few trees native to San Francisco)

Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’) — Blue Atlas cedar (*Cedrus atlantica* ‘Glauca’)

20. 481 Yerba Buena New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (2 trees; widely planted in SF, where it loves the climate)

21. 461 Yerba Buena Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

21B. 431 Yerba Buena Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’), Morocco & Algeria

**Cross Yerba Buena Avenue carefully***

Yerba Buena Avenue, north of Monterey, west side

22. 422 Yerba Buena African linden (Sparmannia africana), South Africa

23. 460 Yerba Buena Chilean palm (Jubaea chilensis), Chile (one of SF’s finest specimens)

24. 460 Yerba Buena Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), Año Nuevo, Monterey, Cambria, CA native, most widely planted coniferous tree in the world (mostly for lumber; this is a particularly fine specimen, standing tall behind the palm)

Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), Southwest Oregon & Northwest California (this is the weeping tree next to the stairs)

Monterey Blvd, Yerba Buena to St. Elmo, north side

25. 1010 Monterey Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Australia, Norfolk Island (it’s the tall “Christmas tree” in the rear yards of houses across the street, and on the horizon)

26. 195 St. Elmo Sweet michelia (Magnolia doltsopa), Himalayas (big, white fragrant flowers appear in winter)

St. Elmo Way at Monterey, northwest corner

27. 196 St. Elmo Tree aloe (Aloidendron barberae, formerly Aloe bainesii), Southern & East Africa

Monterey Blvd, St. Elmo to El Verano, north side

28. 1100 Monterey King palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), East Australia (4 trees)

**Cross Monterey Blvd at the crosswalk onto Northgate Drive**

Northgate Drive at Darien, northeast corner

29. 100 Northgate Pindo palm (Butia odorata), Southern Brazil & Uruguay (SF’s champion specimen)

Darien Way, west of Northgate, north side, then south side

30. 855 Darien Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Europe & W Asia

31. 855 Darien Polylepis sp., Andes Mountains of South America (highest altitude tree genus in the New World)

***Cross Darien carefully to the south side***

32. 870 Darien Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’ or ‘Kaizuka’), East Asia

33. 240 Manor English holly (Ilex aquifolium), Western Europe & North Africa

33B. 240 Manor Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil

[34 not used]

Manor Drive, Darien to Upland, east side

35. 240 Manor Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands, Spain

Manor Drive, Upland to Kenwood, east side

36. 165 Manor Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands, Spain (2 fairly young trees across the street; they are just beginning to develop their trunks)

37. 120 Manor European weeping birch (Betula pendula), Eurasia (not usually well-adapted to SF)

38. 120 Manor Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia

Kenwood Way, Manor to Keystone, south side

39. 95 Keystone Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Western Mediterranean Basin

***Cross Kenwood carefully***

Kenwood Way, Keystone to Upland, north side

40. 160 Kenwood Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Mediterranean Basin & Ireland

41. 156 Kenwood Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Eastern Australia (feel the spongy bark)

42. 130 Kenwood Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Eastern Australia (the crushed leaves smell of lemon)

Darien Way, north of Kenwood, east side

43. 965 Darien Dark Shadows tea tree (Leptospermum ‘Dark Shadows’), Australia (2 trees)

44. 971 Darien Cabbage tree or tī kōuka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand

**Return to Kenwood Way and head east a short block to Faxon Avenue and head south on Faxon**

Faxon Avenue, Kenwood to Wildwood, west side

45. 849 Faxon African fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior), Eastern & Southern Africa

46. 840 Faxon Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), China

**Follow Wildwood Way east to Westwood Drive, and head south on Westwood**

Westwood Drive, Wildwood to Miramar, east side

47. 98 Westwood Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), China & Vietnam (this species seldom does well in SF, but these seem to be thriving)

48. 91 Westwood Trident maple (Acer buergerianum), East Asia (tree is across the street)

49. 66 Westwood Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), Southwest Australia

50. 42 Westwood Ray Hartman ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), hybrid of CA native species (note that this garden is planted almost exclusively with CA native plants)

51. 20 Westwood Torbay Dazzler cabbage tree (Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’), New Zealand

52. 20 Westwood Silver tree (Leucadendron argenteum), Cape Town, South Africa

Miramar Avenue, Westwood to Ocean, west side

53. 447 Miramar Himalayan white birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii), Himalayas

54. 425 Miramar Silk oak (Grevillea robusta), Eastern Australia

Glen Park "Social Distancing" #covidtreetour

October 27, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

Glen Park is one of the most charming and distinctive neighborhoods in San Francisco. Steep hills facing south, narrow winding streets, and jewelbox homes characterize the neighborhood—along with a good selection of trees. Combine that with a small but wonderful shopping district, and you’ve got a nearly perfect residential neighborhood.

This tree walk begins at Bird & Beckett Books, on Chenery Street—certainly one of the most popular independent bookstores in town. It then heads east on Chenery, north on Castro Street, northeast on Laidley Street for 2 ½ blocks, then back to Castro. It continues north on Castro for another block to Sussex Street, northwest and west on Sussex to Swiss Avenue, south on Swiss to Surrey Street, west on Surrey a few yards to Chenery, and finally east on Chenery back to Diamond Street, a short block from the start at Bird & Beckett. This walk is a little under two miles long.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 56. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

Our thanks to Kay Estey and readers of her garden column in the Glen Park News for suggestions of trees in the neighborhood to include on this walk.

Chenery Street, Diamond to Castro, south side

1. 655 Chenery Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Monterey to Southwest Oregon; CA coastal native (tallest tree species in the world)

2. 600 block of Chenery Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), South Asia (row of trees across the street; a common, albeit problematic, street tree throughout SF)

3. 641 Chenery Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands, Spain (planted in 1989 as tiny tree)

4. 3110 Castro African fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior), East & Southern Africa (row of 3 trees on Chenery)

Castro Street, Chenery to Laidley, west side

5. 3110 Castro Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Eastern USA to Mexico & Central America

6. 3102 Castro Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), South China

***Cross Castro carefully to Laidley Street***

Laidley Street, Castro to Roanoke, southeast side

7. 577 Laidley Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (first introduced in San Francisco, where it is increasingly common - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here)

8. 535 Laidley Myoporum or ngaio in Māori (Myoporum laetum), New Zealand (these trees are dying all over San Francisco, due to an insect pest called thrips)

Myoporum or ngaio in Māori (Myoporum laetum); this tree shows the effects of thrip infestation that is affecting the species everywhere in San Francisco. — Myoporum or ngaio in Māori (*Myoporum laetum*); this tree shows the effects of thrip infestation that is affecting the species everywhere in San Francisco.

9. 533 Laidley After Dark peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa ‘Jervis Bay Afterdark’), Southwest Australian cultivar (often less vigorous than the green-leafed species)

10. 521 Laidley Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southeast USA (state tree of Mississippi)

11. 100 Roanoke Eureka lemon (Citrus limon), hybrid from South Asia (hanging over the back fence on Laidley)

Laidley Street, Roanoke to Mateo, southeast side

12. 447 Laidley Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), East Australia (usually a tree, here it has been pruned to remain a shrub)

13. 100 Mateo Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina), East Australia (tree is on Laidley; it grows in streamside locations in the wild; hence, the common name; SF’s most commonly planted street tree)

Laidley Street, northeast of Mateo, southeast side

14. 371 Laidley Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) in the front garden next to the house, Lord Howe Island, Australia; also queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) from Southern Brazil, in the sidewalk cuts at this address

15. 347-353 Laidley Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile (row of 3 trees)

***Cross Laidley carefully***

Laidley Street, northeast of Mateo, northwest side

16. 380 Laidley Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil - a particularly nice specimen!

17. 376 Laidley Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), East Australia (feel the spongy bark)

18. 48 Mateo Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), Brazil (tree is on Laidley)

London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia); showing the effect of repetitive “pollarding”, which creates knobby branch endings — London plane tree (*Platanus* x *acerifolia*); showing the effect of repetitive “pollarding”, which creates knobby branch endings

Laidley Street, Mateo to Roanoke, northwest side

19. 456 Laidley Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), East Australia

Roanoke Street, northwest of Laidley

20. 486 Laidley Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), CA native; Oregon to Baja (the tree is on Roanoke; the wood was used in construction and for making pencils)

21. Full block of Roanoke London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (these trees, on both sides of the street, have been pollarded in the past (pollarding means the repeated removal of the upper branches of a tree, which promotes the growth of a dense head of foliage and branches)

Laidley Street, Roanoke to Castro, northwest side

22. 554 Laidley New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Ruby Glow’), New Zealand

23. 556 Laidley Locust (Robinia x ambigua ‘Idahoensis’), hybrid of North American species (fragrant pink flowers in early summer)

24. 3045 Castro Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), Southwest Australia (2 trees are on Laidley)

Castro Street, Laidley to Sussex, west side

25. 3068 Castro Red alder (Alnus rubra), CA to Alaska; a rare SF native! (tree is in the side yard, above the fence)

26. 3006 Castro Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan

**Take a short side excursion to 283 Bemis Street (southeast side) for a Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Western Mediterranean Basin

Sussex Street, Castro to Diamond, southwest side

Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea) on the left; Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x ‘Montic’) on the right — Giant yucca (*Yucca gigantea*) on the left; Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (*Rhaphiolepis* x ‘Montic’) on the right

27. 1 Sussex Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), East Australia (white flowers, very fragrant)

28. 11 Sussex Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica), East Asia (though usually grown as a shrub for its beautiful late winter/spring flowers, Japanese camellia is actually a small tree)

29. 15 Sussex Ray Hartman ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), hybrid of CA native species

30. 41 Sussex River wattle (Acacia cognata), Southeast Australia

Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) — Monterey cypress (*Hesperocyparis macrocarpa*)

31. 53 Sussex Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea), Central America

32. 53 Sussex Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x ‘Montic’), South China & Japan to Southeast Asia

33. 62 Sussex Weeping bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis), East Australia (across the street)

Sussex Street, Diamond to Van Buren, southeast side

34. 2600 Diamond Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia (tree is on Sussex; this tree loves SF’s climate)

35. 155 Sussex Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), Carmel, CA native

**The steep alley to the left of the fence is Ohlone Way, named for the Native Californians who once occupied much of the San Francisco Bay Area (and one of San Francisco’s few remaining unpaved streets).

Ohlone Way, one of San Francisco’s few remaining unpaved streets

Van Buren Street, Sussex to Surrey

36. Both sides of Van Buren Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), East Australia (the crushed leaves smell of lemon)

Sussex Street, Van Buren to Swiss Avenue, south side

37. 167 Sussex Fern-leaf Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius), CA’s Channel Islands, except Catalina; CA native (a particularly fine specimen)

**For another side excursion, head uphill on Conrad Street a short distance to Poppy Lane and turn right into this unpaved alley; about fifty yards down on the left is a giant specimen of California buckeye (Aesculus californica). This stunning tree might well be older than the homes that surround it.

38. 201 Sussex Hybrid tea tree (Leptospermum ‘Dark Shadows’), Australia

39. 201 Sussex Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species (one of SF’s finest speciments; first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here)

40. 205 Sussex New Zealand cabbage tree (Cordyline hybrid), New Zealand

41. 261 Sussex Kwanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’), East Asia

42. 291 Sussex Primrose tree (Lagunaria patersonii), Australia & South Pacific Islands

**Another side excursion to 333 Sussex (southwest side) will bring you to a Guadalupe palm (Brahea edulis), from Guadalupe Island, Baja California

Swiss Avenue, Sussex to Surrey, west side

43. 116 Swiss Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Mediterranean Basin & Ireland

44. 120 Swiss Princess tree (Tibouchina urvilleana), Southern Brazil (usually a shrub, sometimes becoming a tree; notable for its intense purple flowers; loves San Francisco!)

45. 140 Swiss Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Krauter Vesuvius’), Eurasia (a selection of purple-leaf plum from a Bakersfield nursery)

46. 146 Swiss New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (widely planted in SF, where it loves the climate)

Surrey Street, Swiss to Chenery, north side

Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis) — Canary Island pine (*Pinus* *canariensis*)

47. 360 Surrey Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), East Australia (peer through the cracks in the fence to see this rare tree at the very corner of the garden; google it to read the intriguing story of the tree’s discovery in the mid-1990s)

**The home at 370 Surrey belongs to Zoeanne Nordstrom, one of the three “Gum Tree Girls” who fought hard to prevent a freeway from being built through nearby Glen Canyon Park.

48. 398 Surrey Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), Canary Islands

Chenery Street, Surrey to Burnside, south side

49. 959 Chenery Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile

Chenery Street, Burnside to Chilton, south side

50. 925 Chenery Coffee tree (Coffea arabica), Eastern Africa & Yemen (tree is in the entry court of St John’s Catholic School; coffee trees are seldom seen outdoors in SF)

51. 907 Chenery Flowering gum (Corymbia hybrid), Southwest Australia

52. 864 Chenery Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin (across the street)

53. 828 Chenery Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Southwest Australia (a softly colored specimen across the street)

Chenery Street, Chilton to Diamond, south side

54. 775 Chenery Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), East Australia (white flowers, very fragrant)

55. 757-763 Chenery New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (widely planted in SF, where it loves the climate)

56. 751 Chenery Cabbage tree or tī kōuka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand

End of tour at Chenery and Diamond, a half-block from the start at Bird & Beckett Books.

Tree fans may wish to visit the Glen Park Greenway, which parallels Bosworth Street on its north side, to see the new plantings of coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and other, mostly native, trees and shrubs. The Greenway runs from Diamond to Elk Street, where it meets the bottom end of Glen Canyon Park. The Greenway is a volunteer-run project.

Transmission "Social Distancing" tree tour 10-11-20

October 12, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

We were treated to another gorgeous autumn day for this walk through the “Transmission” neighborhood, with a focus on Fair Oaks, one of the most desirable streets in the Mission/Noe Valley neighborhoods. A warm climate with underground streams likely, this neighborhood is filled with an array of notable trees, including a few seldom seen in the City. It’s a short walk, but a rich one tree-wise.

The walk begins on Dolores and 22nd streets and heads east on 22nd to Fair Oaks Street, then south on Fair Oaks to 24th Street, east on 24th to San Jose Avenue, north on San Jose to 22nd, and then west on 22nd to Fair Oaks, a block from the tour’s start. This walk is a little over one mile long.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 46. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

China doll tree (Radermachera sinica) - a City Champion - biggest in San Francisco by far! — China doll tree (*Radermachera sinica*) - a City Champion - biggest in San Francisco by far!

Dolores Street at 22nd Street, northeast corner

1. 895 Dolores Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), Eastern Mediterranean Basin (seed pods can be used to make a chocolate substitute—though not recommended for true chocolate lovers)

22nd Street, Dolores to Fair Oaks, north side

2. 2476 - 22nd Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Argentina, Bolivia

3. 3470 - 22nd China doll tree (Radermachera sinica), China and Taiwan (City champion; biggest of its species in SF!) We picked the location of this tour in part because of this tree - it is one of San Francisco’s most notable trees.

Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa) on 22nd Street — Peppermint willow (*Agonis flexuosa) on 22nd Street*

4. 3456 - 22nd Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), Southwest Australia (one of SF’s biggest and best)

Turn right on Fair Oaks Street.

Fair Oaks Street, 22nd to 23rd, west side

5. 3451 - 22nd Pink Majestic Indian hawthorn (Raphiolepis x ‘Montic’), South China and Japan to Southeast Asia (tree is on Fair Oaks)

6. 108 Fair Oaks Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), SouthAsia (a common, albeit problematic, street tree throughout SF)

7. 110 Fair Oaks Snake-bark maple (Acer davidii), China (another City champion; a very very rare tree in San Francisco - this is the biggest of the species in SF)

8. 112 Fair Oaks Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), West Coast and Rocky Mountains to South Mexico (needle leaves, a CA native tree!)

9. 114 Fair Oaks Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), East Asia (tree is on 22nd)

Two female ginkgos (Ginkgo biloba) on Fair Oaks — Two female ginkgos (*Ginkgo biloba*) on Fair Oaks

10. 116 Fair Oaks Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (these are both female trees; it’s very rare to find female Ginkgos as street trees - their nuts are edible, but the rotting flesh stinks)

11. 145 Fair Oaks Senegal date palm (Phoenix reclinata), South Africa to Kenya to Senegal (across the street; rare in SF)

11b. 116 Fair Oaks Cabbage tree or tī kōuka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand

12. 118 Fair Oaks Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), Eastern Australia

13. 120 Fair Oaks Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’ or ‘Kaizuka’), East Asia

14. 120 Fair Oaks Snow-in-summer tree or flax-leaf paperbark (Melaleuca linariifolia), Eastern Australia (feel the spongy bark)

15. 124 Fair Oaks Kwanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’), East Asia

16. 180 Fair Oaks Red horse chestnut (Aesculus x carnea), hybrid of European and American species (2 trees)

Fair Oaks Street, 23rd to 24th, west side

17. 200 Fair Oaks Little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata), Eurasia (3 trees on 23rd)

18. 202 Fair Oaks London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species

19. 206 Fair Oaks Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil (3 trees)

20. 216 Fair Oaks Cabbage tree or tī kōuka in Māori (Cordyline australis), New Zealand (a particularly tall specimen, reaching for the light between the buildings)

21. 261 Fair Oaks Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata), East Asia (across the street; a common replacement for American elms, which were decimated by Dutch elm disease in the eastern USA)

22. 260 Fair Oaks Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’), Eurasia and North Africa

23. 264 Fair Oaks Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile

24. 272 Fair Oaks Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Krauter Vesuvius’), Eurasia (a selection of purple-leaf plum that originated in a Bakersfield nursery)

25. 286 Fair Oaks “Wishful” water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina “Esperanza”), Eastern Australia (add a wish of your own)

Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) — Brazilian pepper tree (*Schinus terebinthifolius*)

Turn left on 24th Street.

24th Street, Fair Oaks to Guerrero, north side

26. 3638 - 24th Bronze loquat (Raphiolepis deflexa, syn. Eriobotrya deflexa), Southern China and Vietnam

27. 3632 - 24th Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species, first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here

28. 3618 - 24th Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), Brazil

**Short jog left on Guerrero to see #29, then return to 24th Street.

Guerrero Street, just north of 24th, west side

29. 1100-1102 Guerrero California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera), Southern California; also Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), Mexico; (the two palms are across the street). The California fan palm, with the thicker trunk, is very rare in San Francisco, and it’s interesting to see it next to its thinner-trunked relative at this address.

24th Street, Guerrero to San Jose, north side

30. 3599 - 24th Nichol’s willow-leaf peppermint (Eucalyptus nicholii), Southeast Australia (across the street, alongside Fiore Cafe)

31. 3528 - 24th Gold medallion tree (Cassia leptophylla), Southern Brazil

32. 3502 - 24th Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea), Mediterranean Basin (source of pine nuts/pignoli)

San Jose Avenue, 24th to Elizabeth, west side

33. 120 San Jose Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia (white flowers, very fragrant)

33-1/2. 102 San Jose Gingko (Gingkgo biloba), China - two more female ginkgos! These trees were full of fruit that will soon be “odoriferous” on the street. This was the second address on this tour with two female ginkgos - a big surprise to the three of us.

34. 1 Elizabeth New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (widely planted in SF, where it loves our cool, coastal climate)

35. 123 San Jose Two big-leaf maple trees (Acer macrophyllum), West Coast; SF native. It’s very rare to see this California native as a street tree!

San Jose Avenue at 23rd, southwest corner

35. 4 Elizabeth Lemon (Citrus x limon) South Asia (tree is at corner of 23rd and San Jose)

36. 3503 - 23rd Shoestring acacia (Acacia stenophylla), Western Australia

37. 3503 - 23rd Knife-leaf acacia (Acacia cultriformis), Eastern Australia

38. 3503 - 23rd Pasopaya palm (Parajubaea torallyi), Bolivian Andes (5 trees; very rare tree on San Francisco’s streets)

39. 3503 - 23rd Waggie palm (Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Wagnerianus’); also a Blue Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis var. argentea), Algeria and Morocco

Turn left on San Jose Avenue.

San Jose Avenue, 23rd to 22nd, west side

40. 50 San Jose Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southeast USA

***Please cross 22nd Street carefully***

22nd Street, San Jose to Guerrero, north side

41. 3326 - 22nd Paradox walnut (Juglans x paradoxa), hybrid of CA native and European species)

42. 3334 - 22nd Prickly melaleuca (Melaleuca styphelioides), Eastern Australia

43. 3342 - 22nd Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (one of SF’s best specimens)

** If you have time, take a side excursion to 1054-1058 Guerrero to pay homage to some interesting trees at Flora Grubb’s previous residence, before continuing on 22nd.**

1054 Guerrero Willow wattle (Acacia iteaphylla), South Australia; Puka (Meryta sinclairii), New Zealand; Forest Pansy redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’), Eastern USA

1058 Guerrero Tree aloe (Aloidendron barberae, formerly Aloe bainesii), South and East Africa (two magnificent specimens)

22nd Street, Guerrero to Fair Oaks, north side

44. 3412 - 22nd Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Eastern Australia (feel the spongy bark)

45. 3446 - 22nd River wattle (Acacia cognata), Southeast Australia

46. 3446 - 22nd Australian willow (Geijera parviflora), East and Southeast Australia

This walking tour was organized by Mike Sullivan, author of The Trees of San Francisco (if you like this tour, there are 12 more neighborhood tree tours in Mike’s book), Jason Dewees, horticulturist at Flora Grubb Gardens and author of Designing with Palms; and Richard Turner, retired editor of Pacific Horticulture magazine and editor of Trees of Golden Gate Park. If you’re a tree enthusiast, buy all three books! You can follow Mike (@sftreeguy) and Jason (@loulufan) on Instagram.

West Portal "Social Distancing" tree tour 10-26-20

September 28, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

A gorgeous autumn day greeted us for a walk through the West Portal neighborhood, in the western half of San Francisco. This neighborhood of comfortable homes adjoins the thriving shopping district along West Portal Avenue. Sandy soils, persistent winds, and plenty of fog challenge the growth of some tree species, but the neighborhood is, nevertheless, filled with a notable diversity of trees.]

The West Portal walk begins and ends at the Starbucks on the corner of Vicente Street and West Portal Avenue. From there, it heads southwest on West Portal to 14th Avenue, then northwest on 14th, and southwest on Wawona Street to 15th Avenue. After crossing to the northwest side of Wawona, the walk continues back northeast on Wawona to Vicente, and then west on Vicente to 14th. Crossing Vicente to the north side, the walk leads east on Vicente to Madrone Street, north on Madrone to Ulloa Street, east on Ulloa to Wawona, then southwest on Wawona to Vicente, and finally east on Vicente to its beginning at West Portal. This walk is a little over one mile long.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 55. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed.

West Portal Avenue, Vicente St to 14th Ave, northwest side

1. 100 West Portal London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of Eastern USA species and European species (there are clusters of London plane trees at each intersection along West Portal)

2. 124 West Portal Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Eastern Australia

3. 128 West Portal Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), Southern China

4. 242 West Portal Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), Eastern Australia (white flowers, very fragrant)

This pattern of London plane, lemon bottlebrush, privet, and Victorian box continues for most of the length of West Portal, on both sides of the street. At 14th Avenue, turn right.

14th Avenue, West Portal to Wawona, northeast side

5. 2700 - 14th Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), California native - native to small areas near Carmel and Point Lobos

Bronze loquat (Raphiolepis deflexa) — Bronze loquat (*Raphiolepis deflexa)*

Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervivens ‘Glauca’), E Mediterranean (the candle-shaped conifers next to the fence)

At Wawona Street, turn left.

Wawona Street, 14th to 15th, southeast side

6. 329 Wawona Kwanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’), E Asia (5 trees in a row)

7. 345 Wawona Bronze loquat (Raphiolepis deflexa, syn. Eriobotrya deflexa), South China and Vietnam

8. 359 Wawona Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), E USA to Mexico & C America (good fall color, even in SF)

9. 371 Wawona Peppermint willow (Agonis flexuosa), SW Australia (a particularly fine specimen)

10. 387 Wawona Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Southern Brazil (2 trees)

11. 2700 - 15th King palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamii), E Australia (tree is on Wawona)

Wawona Street, 15th to 14th, northwest side

12. 380 Wawona Torbay Dazzler cabbage tree (Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’), New Zealand

13. 370 Wawona Moonlight grevillea (Grevillea ‘Moonlight’), hybrid of Australian species

14. 350 Wawona Giant bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), S Africa

15. 320 Wawona Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species, first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here

Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) — Monkey puzzle tree (*Araucaria araucana*)

16. 320 Wawona Princess bush (Tibouchina urvilleana), S Brazil (usually a shrub, sometimes becoming a tree; notable for its intense purple flowers)

17. 320 Wawona European weeping birch (Betula pendula), Eurasia (not usually well-adapted to SF)

18. 300 Wawona Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile

Wawona Street, 14th to Vicente, northwest side

19. 290 Wawona Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), Chile (stiff sharply pointed leaves are said to prohibit monkeys, or anything else, from climbing the trees)

20. 250 Wawona Saratoga laurel (Laurus azorica ‘Saratoga’), Azores and Canary Islands (selected form introduced by Saratoga Horticultural Foundation)

21. 250 Wawona Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), E Australia

22. 242 Wawona Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Korea & Japan

23. 242 Wawona Olive tree (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin

24. 222 Wawona New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), New Zealand (two color forms here and a third one across the street; all well adapted to SF’s climate and soils)

25. 218 Wawona Boxleaf azara (Azara microphylla), Chile

Bunya bunya (Araucaria bidwillii) - a City champion for the species; biggest on San Francisco’s streets! — Bunya bunya (*Araucaria bidwillii*) - a City champion for the species; biggest on San Francisco’s streets!

26. 218 Wawona Apple tree (Malus domestica), apples have been cultivated since ancient times, but the species is native to Kazakhstan

Vicente Street, Wawona to 14th, south side

27. 201 Vicente Bunya bunya (Araucaria bidwillii), E. Australia (City champion: biggest in SF and an amazing specimen! I gave this a “top 10 in San Francisco” rating on my list of SF’s best trees)

28. 201/219 Vicente Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea), Mediterranean Basin (source of pine nuts/pignoli; young specimen in front, older tree in back)

29. 219 Vicente Blackwood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), Southeast Australia

30. 227 Vicente Giant yucca (Yucca gigantea), Central America

31. 227 Vicente Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), China

Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Western Mediterranean Basin

32. 235 Vicente Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana), Brazil

33. 243 Vicente Primrose tree (Lagunaria patersonii), Australia and South Pacific Islands

34. 251 Vicente Washington thorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) Eastern USA

35. 265 Vicente Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southeastern USA

36. 265 Vicente Cabbage tree (Cussonia spicata), South Africa

Vicente Street, 14th to Forest Side, north side

37. 238 Vicente New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (widely planted in SF, where it loves the climate)

38. 238 Vicente Grapefruit tree (Citrus x paradisi), hybrid of Asian species

39. 238 Vicente White champaca (Magnolia x alba), hybrid of Southeast Asian species (watch for the fragrant white flowers tucked within the foliage)

40. 200 Vicente English holly (Ilex aquifolium), Western Europe and North Africa

41. 200 Vicente Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Islands

Madrone Street, Vicente to Ulloa, west side

42. 180 Madrone Silver dollar gum (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), E Australia

43. 164 Madrone Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), SW Australia (this tree loves SF’s climate)

44. 138 Madrone Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (formerly SF’s most planted tree; an early leaf drop is common in the drier sandy soils of western SF)

***Cross Madrone Street carefully.***

45. 155 Madrone Ray Hartman ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), hybrid of CA native species

46. 109 Madrone Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’ or ‘Kaizuka’), East Asia

Ulloa Street, Madrone to Wawona, south side

47. 101 Madrone Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), Himalayas

48. 1001 Ulloa Water gum or small-leaf tristania (Tristaniopsis laurina), Eastern Australia (SF’s most commonly planted tree over the last decade)

49. 1001 Ulloa Lily-of-the-valley tree (Clethra arborea), Madeira (rarely very happy in SF)

Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), Eastern USA

Wawona Street, Ulloa to Vicente, northwest side

50. 1001 Ulloa Marri (Corymbia calophylla), W Australia (looks like a white-flowered Corymbia ficifolia, #43, but a distinct species with differently shaped fruits). This may be the largest of this species on San Francisco’s streets - it’s definitely the largest we know of!

51. 122 Wawona Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile

52. 126 Wawona Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Australia, Norfolk Island (it’s the tall “Christmas tree” in the rear yards of the houses across the street)

***Cross Wawona Street carefully.

53. 141 Wawona Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan

54. 159 Wawona Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), China and Vietnam

Vicente Street, Wawona to West Portal, south side

55. 201 Wawona Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica), Eastern Asia (tree is on Vicente; though usually grown as a shrub for its beautiful late winter/spring flowers, Japanese camellia is actually a small tree)

Mission Bay "Social Distancing" tree tour 9-6-20

September 09, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

For this week’s tour, we visit the City’s first 21st-century neighborhood: Mission Bay. Once a land of warehouses and rail yards, Mission Bay has grown in the past two decades into a dense and dynamic urban neighborhood, filled with hospitals and medical facilities, corporate offices, housing for students and families, shops and restaurants, the Golden State Warriors’ new home (Chase Center), public art, numerous parks, plazas, and open space — and plenty of street trees. Because this entire neighborhood has been created by a developer in a series of broad strokes, the trees tend to appear as monocultures (masses of a single species) along streets and within parks. (Monocultures sometimes lead to diseases sweeping through a planting, seriously affecting all the trees of the same species.)

The tour begins on Terry Francois Blvd, at the eastern end of Mission Bay Commons Park, a broad green stripe of parkland through the neighborhood, flanked by Mission Bay Blvd, North and South.

The walk heads west along Mission Bay Blvd North to 3rd Street, then north on 3rd to China Basin Street, west on China Basin to 4th Street, and north on 4th to Channel Street. From here, the walk leads southwest on Channel Street along the south side of Mission Creek Park; the park contains a fine selection of trees, but the rough pavement precludes chalking. Midway to El Dorado Street, the tour crosses Channel Street and leads down a shaded pedestrian passage to Long Bridge Street, then heads west briefly before crossing to the walkway along the eastern side of Mission Bay Kids’ Park.

At China Basin Street, the walk heads further west along the park’s southern edge, dipping into the park for a single fine specimen of oak. The walk then heads back to China Basin Street, crosses at Merrimac Street, and heads south to Mission Bay Blvd North, then east to 4th Street, south on 4th to Mission Bay Blvd South, east on Mission Bay Blvd South to to the narrow passageway that leads south into the Cardiovascular Research Institute.

From here, the walk exits the southwest corner of the plaza and crosses Nelson Rising Lane into the UCSF residential complex, and out into Gene Friend Way, a broad linear pedestrian walkway. Taking Gene Friend Way to the west, the tour dips into the garden of the Sandler Neurosciences Center, then heads south between green Koret Quad and the Mission Bay Conference Center. At Campus Way, the tour heads west to Owens Street, then northwest along Owens to Gene Friend Way, here a private street.

After crossing Owens at Gene Friend, the tour heads southeast on Owens to the extension of Campus Way, dipping briefly into a pedestrian passageway all the way to B Street, almost below the elevated freeway, before returning to Owens, then heading souteast to 16th Street, east on 16th to Terry Francois Blvd, and north on Terry Francois to Warriors Way.

At Warriors Way, the walk heads west to Bridgeview Way, then north on Bridgeview to Pierpoint Lane, mid-block, east through Pierpoint to Terry Francois Blvd again, and north to the starting point at Mission Bay Commons Park.

Spotted gum - Eucalyptus maculata, very close to the starting point of the tour

We’ve provided this long introduction to the itinerary since street addresses are not always obvious in the neighborhood. Many of the trees are planted in block-long monocultures, where we have chosen not to locate by address but by block. Most of the trees are planted in pockets in the sidewalk pavement; many, however, are planted in public parks and plazas.

The numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 53. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed. Our trio of tree geeks responsible for this tour is the same: Jason Dewees (author of Designing with Palms), Richard Turner (retired editor of Pacific Horticulture), and I’m Mike Sullivan, author of Trees of San Francisco.

We strongly recommend using google maps to help in navigating the area. Have fun exploring this new urban neighborhood!

Terry Francois Blvd, between Mission Bay Blvds North and South, west side

1. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), CA native; CA to AK and MT (a staggered line of 7 trees, uncommon in SF; this is an important timber tree in the Pacific Northwest, where Native Americans use it for canoes and totem poles)

Mission Bay Blvd North, at Terry Francois, north side

2. Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), CA native; Baja, CA, OR (2 trees; the wood of this tree is used in construction and for making pencils)

Mission Bay Blvd North, Terry Francois Blvd to Bridgeview Way, north side

3. Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), E Australia (this is the dominant street tree along the full length of Mission Bay Blvd North and most of the way along Mission Bay Blvd South)

4. European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), NW Europe to Iran (this is the tree on both sides of Bridgeview Way from Mission Bay Blvd North to China Basin St)

***Cross to the Mission Bay Commons Park, between Mission Bay Blvd North and South

Mission Bay Commons Park, Bridgeview to 3rd St, northside walk

5. Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), C & N CA coastal native, tallest tree species in the world (a small grove of redwoods is at the corner of each block of Mission Bay Commons Park)

6. Crabapple (Malus sp.), undoubtedly a hybrid of species from Europe and/or Japan (a massing of crabapples can be found in the middle of each block of Mission Bay Commons Park)

7. Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), E Asia (the most common elm in SF; Chinese elms line the outside of the east-west walks on both north and south sides of Mission Bay Commons Park)

3rd Street, Mission Bay Blvd North to China Basin St, west side

These two trees alternate along one or both sides of 3rd St throughout the Mission Bay development:

8. Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), Mexico: Baja and Sonora

9. Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species, first introduced in San Francisco - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here

China Basin Street, 3rd St to 4th St, south side

10. Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), E Australia (the dominant street tree along both sides of China Basin St, from 3rd to 4th)

Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) - leaves and fruit (fruit turns red to signal to to birds that it’s ready to be eaten; when the fruit is edible to birds the seeds inside are mature and after going through the birds’ intestinal tracts, are ready to p… — Strawberry tree (*Arbutus unedo*) - leaves and fruit (fruit turns red to signal to to birds that it’s ready to be eaten; when the fruit is edible to birds the seeds inside are mature and after going through the birds’ intestinal tracts, are ready to produce a future tree)

Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Mediterranean Basin & Ireland (numerous small trees planted between sidewalk and buildings along China Basin St)

4th Street, China Basin to Channel streets, east side

11. Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum; syn. Sophora japonica), China (the dominant tree along both sides of 4th St, from Mission Bay Blvd North to Channel St)

12. 1155 - 4th Thornless honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Inermis’), E USA

Long Bridge Street at 4th, east side

13. Water gum or small-leaf tristania (Tristaniopsis laurina), E Australia (SF’s most commonly planted tree; the dominant tree along both sides of Long Bridge St, from 4th to 3rd)

4th Street, Channel Street to Mission Creek, west side

14. Saratoga laurel (Laurus azorica ‘Saratoga’), Azores and Canary Islands (selected form introduced by Saratoga Horticultural Foundation)

This Eucalyptus stumped all three of us! — Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolibah), Australia (the row here are the only ones in San Francisco!

15. Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), Carmel, CA native (several trees along the eastern and southern edges of Mission Creek Park)

Channel Street, west of 4th St, north side

16. Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolibah), Australia (there are 20 or so specimens here. This one stumped us until our friend Sairus Patel from Stanford provided the ID! We think these are the only Coolibahs in San Francisco - but it’s just one one of the 700 or so species of eucalyptus from Australia.

16B Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), E Australia (feel the spongy bark)

(not numbered) Western sycamore (Platanus racemosa), California native, uncommon in San Francisco streets (the tall tree on the north edge of the park, past two smaller cherry trees, next to Mission Creek)

Western sycamore (Platanus racemosa) - one of the best in San Francisco! These trees are riparian (meaning that they love the edges of rivers), which means it’s very happy here on the edge of Mission Creek — Western sycamore (*Platanus racemosa*) - one of the best in San Francisco! These trees are riparian (meaning that they love the edges of rivers), which means it’s very happy here on the edge of Mission Creek

17. Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile (just inside the southern edge of the park)

***Where the park path meets the Channel Street sidewalk, please cross Channel carefully; there is no cross walk at this location.

Follow the unnamed pedestrian passageway south from Channel St to Long Bridge St

18. Red maple (Acer rubrum), Florida to Canada to Mississippi River (dominant tree along the west side of the passageway)

19. Italian bay tree (Laurus nobilis), Mediterranean Basin (dominant tree along the east side of the passageway; this is the bay leaf of culinary value; crush a leaf to smell it)

***Please cross Long Bridge St carefully

Follow the walkway between the condos and Mission Bay Kids’ Park, south to China Basin St

19B. African sumac (Rhus lancea, now known in botany as Searsia lancea), S Africa (this row of trees has received some unfortunate pruning to lower the height)

20. Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata), E Asia (a common replacement for American elms, which were decimated by Dutch elm disease in the eastern USA)

Head west on China Basin St but turn into the Kids’ Park on its main walkway

Cork oak (Quercus suber) - the oak that provides the cork for wine bottles — Cork oak (*Quercus suber*) - the oak that provides the cork for wine bottles

21. Cork oak (Quercus suber), Spain & Portugal (the bark of this tree provides the cork used in wine bottles)

***Cross China Basin St at the crosswalk to Merrimac Street

Merrimac Street, China Basin St to Mission Bay Blvd North, west side

22. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), China and Vietnam (this tree, and others in the neighborhood, are showing signs of fireblight, a disease that causes leaves to turn brown and entire branches to die; unfortunately, this is one of the dominant trees in the neighborhood)

Mission Bay Blvd North, Merrimac St to 4th S, north side

Fan palms ((Washingtonia x filibusta), hybrid of CA native and Baja species — Fan palms ((*Washingtonia* x *filibusta*), hybrid of CA native and Baja species

23. Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata), E Asia (the dominant tree along the pedestrian passageway running north from Mission Bay Blvd)

24. Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), E Australia (planted the full length of Mission Bay Blvd North)

***Take a break at the food truck compound in Spark: good food, cold drinks, and Powder ice cream (what more would one need?). Then continue to Mission Bay Blvd South.

Mission Bay Blvd South at 4th St, south side

25. Filibusta palm (Washingtonia x filibusta), hybrid of CA native and Baja species (a grove of 12 trees; others are just west of 4th). Lucky that we had Jason, the palm expert with us - no one else could ID these trees as the hybrids!

***Continue east on Mission Bay Blvd South; turn south at the narrow pedestrian passageway into the UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute plaza (designed by SF’s Andrea Cochran, one of the country’s top landscape architects)

Cardiovascular Research Institute plaza

26. Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), Peru, Chile

The tree really (a Peruvian pepper tree - Schinus molle) is incidental to this park - it’s the grasses that make this park so beautiful… — The tree really (a Peruvian pepper tree - *Schinus molle*) is incidental to this park - it’s the grasses that make this park so beautiful…

Nelson Rising Lane, north side

A grove of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Redwoods hate wind, and they’re very happy in this wind-sheltered space — A grove of coast redwoods (*Sequoia sempervirens*). Redwoods hate wind, and they’re very happy in this wind-sheltered space

28. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (numerous street trees on Nelson Rising and along the western edge of the plaza)

**Cross Nelson Rising Lane at the brick cross walk and enter the residential complex

Mission Bay Housing plaza

29. Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species, first introduced in San Francisco (4 trees along the west edge of the plaza) - the interesting San Francisco story can be found here

30. Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), C & N CA coastal native, tallest tree species in the world (a grove within the complex)

***Exit the residential complex onto Gene Friend Way, a broad pedestrian passage connecting 3rd St to the Mission Bay Conference Center and Owens St beyond. To the east, note the tall rusting steel plates, a sculpture by the renowned artist Richard Serra.

Gene Friend Way, 4th St to Owens St, north side

31. London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia), hybrid of E USA species and European species (this commonly planted urban tree is prone to fungal diseases in SF’s cool foggy climate, as evidenced by the disfigured leaves and shoot tips on this tree)

Sanders Neurosciences Center plaza

32. Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), W & C China (the female plants are bearing large panicles of fruits, and the foliage is taking on its autumn colors)

33. Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Korea & Japan

34. Eastern dogwood (Cornus florida) E North America

35. Korean dogwood (Cornus kousa), E Asia

Head south on the pedestrian extension of Merrimac St, between the Mission Bay Conference Center and the green lawn of Koret Quad (chalk markings are on the stone seat walls)

36. Yarwood plane tree (Platanus occidentalis ‘Yarwood’), E North America (the row of trees on the south side of Gene Friend Way; this selection originated at Sather Tower, UC Berkeley)

dawn redwood (Metasequoia gglyptostroboides

37. Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), Canary Islands (the grove of tall pines surrounding Koret Quad)

38. Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), hybrid of E Asian species

Campus Way, 4th St to Owens St, south side

39. Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), China (the row of deciduous conifers along the south side of Campus Way; long thought extinct but discovered in China in the 1940s)

Entry plaza for Mission Bay Conference Center, off Owens St, north of Campus Way

40. 1675 Owens Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), E Asia (several trees in the central circle)

41. 1675 Owens Fastigiate European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’), NW Europe to Iran (two rows of narrow upright trees flanking the entry plaza)

Owens Street at Gene Friend St, NW corner

42. Olive (Olea europaea), Mediterranean Basin (two trees flanking the pedestrian access to the entry garden of Kaiser Hospital)

Gene Friend St, west of Owens St, south side

43. Ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), S Asia (a common, albeit problematic, street tree throughout SF; only a few have been planted in Mission Bay)

Owens Street, southeast from Gene Friend Way, west side

44. Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), E Australia (young trees, the dominant planting along much of Owens St)

Pedestrian Walkway opposite Campus Way, between Owens and B Street

45. Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Argentina, Bolivia (a small grove in the sunken plaza opposite Starbucks)

46. Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’), a variety of Eurasian species (at the corner of B Street and the pedestrian walkway; clearly predates the development of Mission Bay—perhaps the oldest tree in the neighborhood)

47. Hopseed tree (Dodonaea viscosa), native throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the world (here trained as a tall narrow hedge)

Owens Street, west of Campus Way, east side

48. Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum, formerly Sophora japonica), China (solid plantings of this tree on the east side of Owens from Gene Friend Way to 16th, between the sidewalk and the buildings)

16th Street, Owens to 3rd streets, north side

Along this stretch of 16th, we pass a number of trees that are repeats of species seen earlier on this walk, beginning with a continuation of the Japanese pagoda tree wrapping around Genentech Hall. Just before 4th Street is a dense bosque (a formally planted “forest” of trees, from the Spanish word for forest) of European hornbeams. At the corner of 16th and 4th is a lonely coast redwood, unhappy being planted in this concrete desert. Between 4th and 3rd are, in order, a bosque of ginkgos and a more open bosque of Chinese elms in front of SF Kebab.

16th Street, 3rd St to Illinois St, north side

49. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), E USA to Mexico & C America (recently planted, these trees have been allowed to retain their lower branches; ultimately, those lower branches will result in a sturdier trunk than if the branches were pruned off)

16th Street, Illinois to Terry Francois Blvd, south side)

50. Round-leaf sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’), E USA to Mexico & Central America (a selection with rounded leaf lobes, quite distinct from the other sweetgums on this street)

***Don’t miss the spherical sculptures with their mirrored inner surfaces, a captivating piece of public art at the NW corner of 16th St and Terry Francois Blvd.

Terry Francois Blvd, 16th to Warriors Way, west side

Along the east side of Chase Center, the street is lined with more cajeput trees, seen several times earlier on this walk.

***Turn west on Warriors Way, lined with ginkgos on both sides of the street.

Bridgeview Way, Warriors Way to Pierpont Lane, east side

51. Southern live oak, (Quercus virginiana), coastal SE USA to Mexico and Cuba (becoming a more commonly planted tree in CA, though the jury is still out on its adaptability to the unique climate of SF)

Pierpont Lane, Bridgeview to Terry Francois Blvd

52. Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), Canada, E USA, Mexico (a grouping within the small park at Terry Francois, west of the soaring steel sculpture)

Terry Francois Blvd, Pierpont Lane to Mission Bay Blvd South, west side

53. Spotted gum (Corymbia maculata), E Australia (an undeservedly rare tree with beautiful bark, well adapted to SF;) planted on both sides of Terry Francois north to Mission

Landmark Tree Map!

August 21, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

I’m excited to announce the release of my MAP OF SAN FRANCISCO’S LANDMARK AND RARE TREES. If you click on the link, you’ll go to a map of San Francisco where each of the trees is represented by a dot at its location. Some of the locations are street addresses; where street addresses weren’t available, I used GPS coordinates. Now, for the first time, you can walk or bike or drive around the City with your smart phone , click on the map, and you’ll be able to easily find landmark and interesting trees near you! Most of the trees are quite large (because the dots represent the biggest specimens I know of for each species). Occasionally you’ll find a smaller tree on the map - typically because the tree is very rare in SF and only a couple small specimens exist.

This map will live permanently on the “Landmark Tree” page of this site.

Central Mission #covidtreetour 8-1-20

August 04, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

For this week’s tour, we return to the Mission District, a fantastic neighborhood for gardens and tree diversity. The tour begins at the corner of 20th and Alabama streets, next to the historic Felix F . Schoenstein & Sons Pipe Organs building.

The walk heads south on Alabama Street to 22nd Street, then west on 22nd almost to Harrison Street, then returns on 22nd to Hampshire Street, then back to York street, north on York to 20th Street, and west on 20th to the start of the tour, ending at the popular Atlas Cafe.

Numbered trees are labeled with common and scientific names and country of origin, all written in white chalk on the sidewalk; accompanying numbers, in blue, run from 1 to 59. White arrows on the pavement provide directions whenever a turn is needed. Our trio of tree geeks responsible for this tour is the same: Jason Dewees (author of Designing with Palms), Richard Turner (retired editor of Pacific Horticulture), and I’m Mike Sullivan, author of Trees of San Francisco.

Alabama Street, 20th to 21st, west side

1. 3101 - 20th Snowy River wattle (Acacia boormanii), SE Australia (tree is on Alabama; uncommon in SF)

Chinese flame tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) - biggest one in San Francisco! — Chinese flame tree (*Koelreuteria* *bipinnata*) - biggest one in San Francisco!

2. 3101 - 20th River wattle (Acacia cognata), SE Australia

3. 3101 - 20th Willow wattle (Acacia iteophylla), S Australia

4. 820 Alabama Chinese flame tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata), S China (this is the city champion for this species - the biggest one in San Francisco!)

5. 828 Alabama Locust (Robinia x ambigua ‘Idahoensis’), hybrid of N American species

6. 828 Alabama California lilac (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’), CA native (not even remotely related of lilacs, but a magnificent specimen)

7. 847 Alabama Trident maple (Acer buergerianum), E Asia (tree is across the street)

8. 890 Alabama Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), E Mediterranean Basin (seed pods can be used to make a chocolate substitute—though not recommended for true chocolate lovers)

Alabama Street, 21st to 22nd, east side, then west side

9. 901 Alabama Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China (row of 5 trees alongside the Boys & Girls Club

10. 925 Alabama Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), E Australia (an uncommonly tall specimen)

11. 937 Alabama Flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata), Japan

12. 951 Alabama Mock-orange (Pittosporum tobira), Japan, China, & Korea (a remarkable specimen)

Please cross the street carefully.

13. 926 Alabama Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), SE USA (across the street)

14. 998 Alabama African fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior), E & S Africa

15. 2850 - 22nd Australian willow (Geijera parviflora), E & SE Australia (2 trees are on Alabama; this tree does best in the warmer neighborhoods of SF)

At 22nd Street, turn right and head west on 22nd.

22nd Street, west of Alabama for half a block, north side

16. 2850 - 22nd New Zealand Christmas tree, pōhutukawa in Māori (Metrosideros excelsa), New Zealand (widely planted in SF where it loves the climate)

17. 2858 - 22nd Interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni), CA native (2 trees; rare in SF)

18. 2866 - 22nd Brush cherry (Syzygium australe), E Australia

Please cross the street carefully; you’ll backtrack on 22nd towards Alabama.

22nd Street, west of Alabama, south side

19. 2859 - 22nd Washington thorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) Eastern USA

20. 2855 - 22nd Red maple (Acer rubrum), Eastern USA: Florida to Canada to Mississippi River

21. 2839 - 22nd Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), hybrid of Mediterranean species, first discovered in San Francisco and many think was brought to SF during the Pan American exposition of 1915. The late Victor Reiter of Cole Valley had a hand in the introduction of the tree to the nursery trade in the 1980s - that interesting San Francisco story can be found here.

22. 2826 - 22nd Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Brazil (tree is across the street)

23. 2819 - 22nd Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Korea & Japan

24. 2807 - 22nd Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), W & C China

25. 998 Florida Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), E USA to Mexico & C America (tree is across the street on 22nd)

22nd, Alabama to Florida, south side

26. 2771 - 22nd Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), E Mediterranean Basin (2 uncommonly large trees)

Bryant Street, south of 22nd, west side

27. 2400 Bryant Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), Mediterranean

Bryant Street, north of 22nd, east side

Century plant (Agave salmiana) — Century plant (*Agave salmiana*)

28. 2397 Bryant Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus), E Australia

22nd Street, Bryant to York, north side

29. 2397 Bryant Century plant (Agave salmiana), Mexico (this succulent is on 22nd; it is not a tree at all, but the tall flower stalk is tree-like in form)

30. 2397 Bryant Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), E Asia (tree is on 22nd)

31. 2397 Bryant Breede River yellowwood (Podocarpus elongatus) S Africa (tree is on 22nd)

gold medallion tree (Cassia leptophylla) — gold medallion tree (*Cassia leptophylla*)

32. 2712 - 22nd Water gum or small-leafed tristania (Tristaniopsis laurina), E Australia (one of the top two most planted trees in SF)

33. 2700 - 22nd Lemon tree (Citrus limon), S Asia

22nd Street, east of York, north side

34. 2671 - 22nd gold medallion tree (Cassia leptophylla), S America (tree is across the street, in full bloom). This tree is undeservedly rare in SF - look at the yellow blooms (photo adjacent) - we need more of these!

35. 2662 - 22nd Yarwood plane tree (Platanus occidentalis ‘Yarwood’), Eastern North America (originated at Sather Tower, UC Berkeley)

York Street, 22nd to 21st, east side

Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) trunk — Cajeput tree (*Melaleuca quinquenervia*) trunk

36. 2680 - 22nd Cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), E Australia (3 trees on York)

37. 983 York Evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii), Taiwan (this tree, and others in the neighborhood, are showing signs of fireblight, a disease that causes leaves to turn brown and entire branches to die)

38. 979 York English hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), Europe & N Africa

39. 975 York Purple-leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Eurasia (formerly SF’s most planted tree)

40. 939 York Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), China

41. 917 York Victorian box (Pittosporum undulatum), E Australia

42. 2681 - 21st Jujube (Ziziphus jujube), Middle East to China (tree is on York; very rare in San Francisco - this is one of only two we know of in SF; fruits are edible and tasty)

21st Street, York to Hampshire, south side, then north side

43. 2671 - 21st Silk oak (Grevillea robusta), E Australia

44. 2663 - 21st Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Mediterranean Basin and southwest Ireland (the ice age almost pushed it out of Ireland, but not quite!)

champak (Magnolia champaca) flower - great fragrance — champak (*Magnolia* *champaca*) flower - great fragrance

Please cross the street at the corner.

45. 2670 - 21st champak (Magnolia champaca) S & SE Asia (a great specimen of a rare tree in SF; flowers are fragrant)

York Street, 21st to 20th, east then west side

46. 891 York Mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin), Iran (2 more trees are across the street)

47. 889 York Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Mediterranean Basin

48. 833 York Three palms from back to front, alongside the driveway: pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii), S China, Laos, Vietnam; king palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamii), E Australia (3 trees, one very slender; nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida), New Zealand - plus: giant bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), S Africa

49. 884 York Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), Brazil (2 trees are across the street)

50. 823 York Coppertone Indian hawthorn (Raphiolepis ‘Coppertone’), hybrid of E Asian species (new spring growth is coppery in color)

51. 819 York Rubber trees (Ficus elastica ‘Decora’), S & SE Asia

Please cross the street carefully.

52. 850 York Sweet michelia (Magnolia doltsopa), Himalayas (fragrant flowers appear in winter)

53. 844 York Northern red oak (Quercus rubra), E North America

54. 810 York Bronze loquat (Raphiolepis deflexa, syn. Eriobotrya deflexa), S China to Vietnam

20th Street, York to Bryant, south side

55. 800 York Akebono flowering cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’), Japan (3 trees on 20th)

56. 2829 - 20th Ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’), S Asia (a common, although problematic, street tree throughout SF)

20th Street, Bryant to Florida, south side

57. 2921 York Mayten (Maytenus boaria), Chile

58. 2925 York Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), E Australia

59. 2931 York Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), Mexico (2 tall palms inside the fence)

20th Street, Florida to Alabama, south side

Entire block Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), S China (tallest trees across the street, all in flower)

This tree tour ends at the corner of Alabama and 20th streets, across the street from its beginning and right next to the Atlas Cafe, now open for sidewalk seating.

"A Connoisseur's Collection on the Slope of Mount Sutro"

August 03, 2020 by Michael Sullivan

Here’s a piece on the Victor Reiter family garden on Stanyan Street, excerpted from The Gardens of San Francisco, Joan Hockaday, Timber Press 1988, titled “A Connoisseur’s Collection on the Slope of Mount Sutro”:

Every city has its foremost plantsman, one knighted in inside circles as the expert to consult on matters green and growing. Victor Reiter was San Francisco’s appointed master and he carried his title with a firm but tender grasp, only occasionally looking up from his breeding journal to realize the whole town was talking about his botanical and horticultural prowess.

Mr. Reiter’s sheltered and sloping one-acre garden at the foot of Mt. Sutro is like no other in this city; the size alone, combined with his extraordinary plant collection, made this a “must see” for visiting garden enthusiasts. The octogenarian’s passing during production of this book only sharpens the debate over whether his garden – or any garden – is but one man’s creation, destined for a new life of decline or redesign, and, further, whether garden preservation should occupy a more prominent role in conservation efforts, as it does abroad.

Fortunately for San Francisco, this spacious garden is now in the hands of Mr. Reiter’s widow and children who share his keen interest in the land and its upkeep. For one brief moment, however, on a crisp fall 1986 day soon after Mr. Reiter’s passing, the garden was in the hands (and knees) of a most distinguished clean-up crew – one San Francisco Parks chief, one Pacific Horticulture magazine editor, and dozens of others untitled but no les expert – gathered to help family members keep weeds at bay for one more season. It was an astonishing, affectionate outpouring in tribute to Mr. Reiter.

Hundreds of rare plants once thrived here; many survive his years of collecting. Collecting was, for Mr. Reiter, an all-consuming hobby, a chance to bring back a one-of-a-kind specimen, a chance to shelter outdated, unpopular hybrids until fashions changed once again. He had the space, the knowledge, and, finally, the horticultural connections to make collecting a joy. Each plant has a fascinating history behind its place in this garden – smuggled alpine seeds from the bank president’s wife, rare cemetery tree sips, and everywhere gifts and exchanges from friends. These stories, in later years, became the focus for garden visitors, became almost as important as the plants themselves.

A turning point for this garden – and gardener – came with an unexpected chill in December 1932. In Mr. Reiter’s words: “The big Freeze drove the dirt gardeners out of their burrows most successfully … the unprecedented icy blasts from out of the Arctic swept over Northern California leaving its gardens ravaged and its gardeners broken hearted.” Thus the California Horticultural Society was born out of resolve of Mr. Reiter and other early participants to “pattern some of the features of our fledgling after that great organization – the Royal Horticultural Society – whose objective is the advancement of horticulture in all its branches.”

While some gardeners collect the biggest and brightest new plants, Mr. Reiter wanted the smallest, most subtle, oldest breeds. For new plants, he bred his own, on site, then offered them for sale in his LaRochette nursery, which his father started years before. Roses were the specialty in the early LaRochette days before Mr. Reiter Jr. advanced to strictly temperate climate specialties, including that most colorful and tender of San Francisco plants – fuchsias. The 1952 LaRochette catalogue is a fuchsia connoisseur’s prize in itself, with its enthusiastic listing of introductions that are now scattered in gardens all over San Francisco and elsewhere. He set a goal to breed a fine white fuchsia which appeared in 1949: Fuchsia ‘Flying Cloud’ – a double rosy white. He then moved on to challenges among the eucheras, echeverias, correas and brooms. Remnants of LaRochette Nursery appear everywhere in this garden – from the masses of fuchsias haphazardly strewn about the upper garden to the lathhouses and greenhouse foundations near the once-bustling ‘office’ behind the house.

A magnificent tree – a wedding present from a British well wisher – now dominates the upper garden. When the Magnolia campbellii mollicomata is in bloom in mid-February, friends father to toast its magnificence. In Victor Reiter’s opinion, this Himalayan Magnolia tree, with its enormous, clear, deep pink blossoms, was the handsomest in the city. The tree arrived as a three-year old and had to be rerouted through Canada along the way.

So rarified is the atmosphere in this plant collection beneath Mt. Sutro, one is immediately tempted to inquire about seeing the family ‘jewels’ – Rhododendron ‘Victor Reiter Sr.’, Fuchsia ‘Mrs. Victor Reiter’ Echeveria ‘Carla Reiter’ – until it becomes clear that this unassuming family would prefer showcasing other families’ gems. Besides, having a plant named in one’s honor is a mixed blessing; if the plant does poorly, the honoree is blamed, rather than the supplier, or the real culprit, which might be a snail or a slug. For this reason, and others, Mr. Reiter preferred to name his new plants according to color, shape or size – characteristics rather than characters.

Each plant, each family has its colorful history at every turn in the garden. Sadly, Mr. Reiter never wrote all the stories down, never strolled through his vast garden with tape recorder in hand, so some memories are lost forever – a lesson other collectors might note. Mr. Reiter’s tremendous photo collection, however, equals the best of family albums and chronicles his life work on 35 mm slides, many on permanent view at Strybing’s Horticultural Library.

This private garden could hardly be duplicated today – as with any fine collection, it took years to gather and adapt. To see so many different flowering plants in one unscientific setting is enough to send the uninitiated along the collecting path at once; for the initiated, the paths led to Utopia. Unfortunately, because Mr. Reiter collected the tiniest species, they are the first to succumb to the weeds, the first to be smothered under larger less desirable plants nearby.

Nature, ever so quickly, closes in. Cities, just as quickly lose their living collections.