Oranges and Pomegranates on Noe?

pomegranate tree - 559 Noe

pomegranate tree - 559 Noe

On a meandering bike ride through the Mission and Castro yesterday, I discovered the 500 block of Noe, and some unusual (for San Francisco, at least) fruit-bearing trees. At 559 Noe, there’s a mature pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) in the front yard. There’s a persimmon tree and fruit-bearing avocado in the back yard, which I know thanks to the nice resident who gave me a tour, as well as a few pomegranates. And at 524-26 Noe, several orange trees (Citrus x sinensis), with the fruit still green - they will ripen in the winter. Oranges aren’t unusual in northern California, but you don’t see many in San Francisco with our cool climate. Or at least not until recently - I saw a presentation at the Urban Forestry Council recently that suggests San Francisco is headed for a Santa Barbara-like climate in 50 years.

pomegranate.jpeg

I’ll also share a couple photos of other trees I saw along the route - a couple of swaying Mexican fan palms (Washingtonia robusta) just off of 15th Street near Guerrero, and a Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) with one of the most striking silhouettes that I’ve ever seen for that species (and it’s famous for its silhouettes).

And a giant yucca (Yucca gigantea), seemingly just growing out of sidewalk.

Trees I never saw growing up in Upstate New York!

oranges - closeup

oranges - closeup

orange tree at 524-26 Noe

orange tree at 524-26 Noe

Washingtonia robusta off 15th Street in the Mission

Washingtonia robusta off 15th Street in the Mission

Norfolk Island pine showing its symmetry

Norfolk Island pine showing its symmetry

giant yucca - 420 Noe Street

giant yucca - 420 Noe Street