Trees confer a variety of benefits on cities and suburban areas; they reduce local temperatures, provide shade and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Given a few basic caveats, such as selecting the right tree species for the available space and planting the trees properly, most tree professionals heartily encourage the planting of more trees near our homes, schools, playgrounds and shopping malls.
Most of California’s trees have evolved to live in our periodically parched state. Some species, such as wax myrtles (Myrica californica), produce glossy leaves which reduce water loses, while others, such as black oaks (Quercus kelloggii), send roots deep into the ground to access water few other plants can.
The current Californian drought presents more problems than are apparent at first glance. One factor that contributes to the danger of wildfires is the fire-suppression strategies of the recent past.
California is not the only place in the world with drought-tolerant trees, and many exotic species are equally suited for surviving low-water periods.
99.8 percent of California is suffering from some state of drought, and it is taking a toll on our trees. Indeed, without concerted efforts, our state stands to lose much of its natural and urban forests. Unfortunately, the best thing for our trees – copious amounts of water – is not available.
As the drought becomes more and more severe, and citizens and policy makers try to figure out mitigation strategies, it is helpful to examine the approaches that have helped other regions survive these parched periods. While it may not be advantageous to mimic their strategies in all respects, it is valuable to learn what has and has not worked in other places.
Although many different tree species include the word “cypress” in their common name, the true cypresses are a closely related subgroup of these trees. Historically,
The dwarf or dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is one of three species that bears the redwood moniker. The sole living species of its genus, dwarf
The genus Juniperus contains between 50 and 68 different species, depending on the authority consulted. Juniper trees inhabit much of the world’s land area, including
Also called the water pine, the Oriental swamp cypress (Gylptostrobus pensilis) is the sole member of its genus. Native to China and neighboring portions of
