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Download the Elizabeth Gamble Garden Tree Walk Map (PDF)
One of several gigantic Manna Gums along Embarcadero Road, this Australian native has lengthy ribbons of sunburnt bark that peel to reveal fresh white trunk. Insignificant white flowers occur throughout the year, but are usually too high to be seen. Pea-sized seed capsules produce year-round litter.
In March, these two ornamental cherry trees will be covered in a cloud of pink, fragrant blooms. This hybrid, non-fruiting tree was introduced from Japan in 1902, and is the most common flowering cherry tree planted in Washington, D.C.
A multi-trunk tree at the edge of the parking lot near the handicap parking space. This native tree is among the first to leaf out in spring and the first to lose its leaves in mid-summer. The 6” creamy-white flower spikes appear in April and May.
Unusual for this area, the Cucumber tree is native to eastern North America. Once it reaches 12 years, it has unremarkable yellow flowers high on the tree in the late spring, followed by green fruits that are shaped like a small cucumber. The fruits mature to a dark red color and split open to release red seeds.
Though naturally multi-stemmed, Smoke trees can also be trained to a single trunk. The name is derived from dramatic puffs of “smoke” which are actually panicles (branched clusters) of fading flowers. Smoke trees are at their best in poor or rocky soils; avoid overly wet conditions.
Located between the garden service yard and the Lawn Bowling building, this young deciduous magnolia can produce leaves over 30 inches long. The large flowers of prehistoric Magnolia evolved prior to the appearance of bees and are meant to attract beetles for pollination.
A popular hybrid developed in Japan in the 1930s and brought to market in 1962, the Fuji Apple is a cross between the Red Delicious and Rawls Jennet varieties. It is named after the town of Fujisaki where it was developed. These trees have been formed into an espalier which allows growing in a tight location as well as more heat, if oriented next to a building, and maximum sunlight if oriented parallel to the equator.
Fig is a common fruit tree in the Bay Area. They can grow to 15–30’ but can also be kept to 10’ in a large container. The ‘Black Mission’ variety produces purple-black fruit with pink flesh that is good either fresh or dried. Edible Fig is one of the first plants that was cultivated by humans.
Coral tree is known for its extravagant display of flowers which have been chosen as Argentina’s national flower. The first flowers form in the spring after the leaves have unfurled. Each branch tip has a big, loose cluster of velvety, blossoms that vary in color from pink to dark red. In summer, blossoms are replaced by long bean pods. Notice the pollarding (pruning repeated year after year) at the base of new growth. This tree was planted by the Gamble family.
A deciduous magnolia with white to purplish-red fragrant flowers, 3–6” wide. This tree blooms from late winter into spring before the leaves emerge.
This deciduous magnolia blooms before the leaves come out. It can be easily distinguished from the more typical Saucer Magnolia because the leaves and flower petals of Star Magnolias are much narrower. The flowers are white and 3” across with strap-shaped petals. Notice the very interesting branching patterns of this tree.
This tree produces big, slightly pointed fruit which are quite astringent until they become very soft and ripe. The fruit can be pureed and used as a replacement for applesauce in bread and other recipes. The other persimmon seen locally is the non-astringent ‘Fuyu’, which is shaped like a flattened tomato.
The Canary Island Date Palm is an ornamental relative of the edible date palm, Phoenix dactylifera. Palms are not really trees at all, rather more closely related to grasses. They grow from the tip and have no woody tissue. This specimen and two others on the property were planted by the Gamble family. At the time, Canary Island Date Palms were symbols of wealth.
This well-formed, multi-trunked Japanese Maple, and its partner on the other side of the front door, is lovely standing near the Gamble house. The house was built in 1902 for the Gamble family, who moved here from Kentucky after the eldest son enrolled at Stanford University. Daughter Elizabeth lived in the house until her death in 1981 at age 92.
These two large old Southern Magnolias are the centerpiece of the front lawn. Many Southern Magnolias were planted along Palo Alto’s streets in the early 1900s by the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto. Notice that the lower limbs are only a few feet above the lawn, unlike the street trees, whose lowest limbs are pruned for truck clearance.
The light green leaves of Chinese Tallow trees are dense, but they flutter at the slightest breeze, giving the tree an airy look. This tree and two others along the side of the house were moved here from an estate in Woodside as mature trees.
These 14 trees form an allée, the French word for a formal garden promenade punctuated by a feature at each end (fountain and bench in this case). The site was replanted in 2014, replacing the original weeping cherries which had begun to decline due to sunburn (a common issue with the weeping form) and eventually boring insects.
This is the primary street tree along most of the perimeter of the garden. Native to all but the most northern parts of the east coast where it is a major source of wild honey brilliant crimson fall color. It is recommended only for irrigated sites.
Usually a large shrub, this exceptionally large English Laurel has been trained as a tree. It is very tolerant of drought and shade and is relatively pest free.
This multi-stemmed tree is one of many Crape Myrtles along this path from Waverley Street to the back parking lot. They are relatively problem-free trees with showy summer flowers and brilliant fall leaf color. All Crape Myrtles bloom on new wood, so pruning in winter or early spring is important to increase flowering.
A deciduous oak closely related to the red oak, the high-branching broad canopy makes it an excellent shade tree. In fall, the deeply lobed leaves will turn a vibrant reddish brown before dropping. Shumard Oak is native to the Midwest and Southeast U.S.
This bed and the adjacent beds provide a glimpse of the great differences in Japanese Maples. Note the variety in size, leaf color, and leaf shape. Look for markers in to tell you the cultivar name of each tree.
Named for its spectacular red fall color, this deciduous oak is native to the eastern half of the U.S. The acorns of Red Oaks take two years to develop; the first year they are small and partially formed and in the second year they elongate and mature.
This tree is a hybrid between the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and the Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii). It is easier to grow and has larger flowers than either of its parents.
This tree is best distinguished by its reddish, peeling, paper-like bark. Peeling bark is a way for the tree
to shed toxins; many birch trees use the same technique. The foliage is a brilliant red in the fall.
Trees protected by the City of Palo Alto tree ordinanceA permit is needed to remove or prune these trees.
Check the City of Palo Alto Tree Regulations.
Trees with low watering needsThese trees are best adapted to our climate and water availability.
Thirsty treesThese trees require frequent summer irrigation and will suffer from the drought cycle in our area.
Do not plant unless you are aware of a water source such as high water table or creek proximity.
Trees not recommended for plantingThese trees are either invasive, do not perform well or create infrastructure or other problems.
