Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - November 14, 2013
From: Anaheim, , CA
Region: California
Topic: Trees
Title: Shade tree for Southern California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I had to cut down my huge ficus tree for several reasons, however it provided lots of shade, that we miss. Can you help me find a good shade tree with non-invasive roots that is good for growing and planting in Anaheim, California?ANSWER:
Below are several trees that will grow in your area of California and make a good shade tree. The CalPoly San Luis Obispo references give information about the invasiveness of the roots of the plants as well as other useful information.
1) Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius (Fernleaf catalina ironwood) is evergreen.
Here is more information from CalPoly San Luis Obispo and from Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita and Escondido.
2) Platanus racemosa (California sycamore) Here is more information from CalPoly San Luis Obispo.
3) Pinus coulteri (Coulter pine) Here is more information for CalPoly San Luis Obispo with photos.
4) Quercus engelmannii (Engelmann oak) Here is more information from CalPoly San Luis Obispo with photos.
5) Pseudotsuga macrocarpa (Big-cone douglas-fir) Here is more information from CalPoly San Luis Obispo with photos.
6) Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea (Blue elder) Here is more information from CalPoly San Luis Obispo.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Bignoniaceae Family Members Fix Nitrogen?
January 23, 2016 - Do plants in the Bignoniaceae family, such as Tecoma stans and Chilopsis linearis, fix nitrogen into the soil? I ask because they have a bean-type pod. Just curious.
view the full question and answer
What eats American holly bushes in winter?
January 24, 2010 - I live in Marlborough, MA and I was shoveling snow on January 19th and noticed how beautiful my Holly bush was covered in red berries against the new fallen snow. My husband said to me this morning (...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of Magnolia grandiflora in Las Vegas NV
January 17, 2011 - I live in Las Vegas, NV and have several Magnolia Grandiflora trees. They were doing well until 2 years ago when they started losing their leaves. The leaves turn brown or very dark on the edges. One ...
view the full question and answer
Austrian pine in landscape in Denver CO?
May 30, 2009 - I'm relandscaping my yard and want to use all or mostly native plants, as I want to create a wildlife. My landscape designer has indicated she wants me to use Austrian Pine in as a specimen tree in t...
view the full question and answer
Screen of Thuja Occidentalis on fire-damaged property in Bastrop TX
May 04, 2013 - I want to plant a screen of Thuja Occidentalis on the east side of our driveway. It is in the burn area of Bastrop, TX. None of our trees survived. Will Thuja Occidentalis grow here? I saw some specim...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |