It’s officially fall. And that means planting time here in the
balmy South Valley region.
Of course you can plant your cool season veggies
– broccoli, lettuce, spinach – or your decorative flowers –
cyclamen, chrysanthemums, snapdragons – but why not vary it a
little bit? Why not go for something a little taller, a little
leafier … say a tree, maybe?
It’s officially fall. And that means planting time here in the balmy South Valley region.
Of course you can plant your cool season veggies – broccoli, lettuce, spinach – or your decorative flowers – cyclamen, chrysanthemums, snapdragons – but why not vary it a little bit? Why not go for something a little taller, a little leafier … say a tree, maybe?
Trees add value to gardens by providing a home for birds and a natural jungle gym for your children or grandchildren – or yourself, for that matter. And if planted close to the house, they provide shade that can keep your home cool in our warm season – which lasts well into October. They also help clear the air by taking carbon dioxide out and putting oxygen back in. And, depending on the type of tree, they can add a nice, fresh scent to your garden.
When deciding on a tree, you’ll need to take into consideration a few things: What do you want it for? Color? Shade? Fruit? Where do you want to plant it – near the house? In a far corner of the garden? Under telephone wires? (Make sure it’s a short tree.) How is the soil? Compacted? Acidic? And how much maintenance are you willing to put into it?
You might need the help of your friendly neighborhood nursery to answer some of those questions, for example, to test the acidity of the soil, but once you’ve gotten the answers down, it’s time to decide what kind of tree strikes your fancy. That’s where we come in. Following are some suggestions on how to meet your tree planting needs.
If you’re looking for color, the Chinese Tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) has striking autumn foliage, with leaf colors from red and bright yellow to purple and orange. It does well in areas that get colder than it gets here.
Chinese Pistache trees (Pistacia chinensis) are also known for their spectacular autumn color. You don’t have to water them in the summer once they’re established and they really do best sporadic watering – perfect for people who don’t want to get too involved in tree care.
Also good for color are Liquidambar (Sweet Gum) trees, which can be found on streets around the South Valley area. They grow in a cone shape and spread with age. The trees do best in full sun and well-draining soil.
If you’re looking for fruit-bearing trees, take a cue from local orchards – both past and present.
Apples are adaptable to most of the South Valley. The temperatures generally get low enough to meet the chilling requirements the trees have to produce their fruit. The trees do require some cross pollination, and depending on the variety, they can ripen from June to November.
Cherries also do well in the region, and they not only give a delectable fruit, but the blossoms can add a pleasant scent to your garden. Break off a small branch or two, stick them in a vase and enjoy a pretty centerpiece for the dining room table or the mantle. Cherries also need some chilly weather, which our area can generally provide.
Citrus trees – from oranges to lemons to kumquats – do quite well here. They need evenly moist soil in the summer, and they are susceptible to frost, so take precautions to protect the. Blood oranges tend not to sweeten well in this area. Most bear fruit around January and February, but lemons tend to produce all year long.
Get a touch of the Mediterranean with the evergreen olive tree. It does best in hot, dry areas – like our own Mediterranean climate – and doesn’t tolerate wet winter soils very well. Olives for canning are usually harvested in September and October, but if you want them for their oil, they can be harvested in January or February.
If you want color, fruit and shade, the persimmon tree has it all. Its foliage will turn yellow, orange or scarlet depending on the variety, and after the leaves fall off, the tree has bright orange-scarlet fruit, which makes great jams, cookies and puddings, until late November and December when it ripens. The fruit also makes a pretty addition to holiday centerpieces before it’s fully ripened. The persimmon tree gives excellent shade, but it needs room to grow.
You can also try going native: The mighty oak tree, which dots California’s golden hillsides, obviously does well in this climate. Coast live oaks, tanoaks, black oaks, scrub oaks and blue oaks are just a few of the kinds that grow here. If you decide to plant one, be sure you put it in the right spot – oak trees don’t tolerate much change once they’re established. They also can’t take any harm to their roots, so make sure no utilities need to be accessed or home improvements need to be done near the tree. They also need good drainage, and if you plant anything near them, it should be drought-tolerant, because the trees like to be kept dry during summer – really dry. They are from California, after all.
So there you have it – not an exhaustive list, but a good selection of trees to pick from for your garden. Good luck and happy planting!
Sources: California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers; International Society of Arboriculture; California Oaks Foundation; University of California Master Gardeners
