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Sign up to take an arborist-led Tree Walk. Tree Walk starting point map.
Tree Walk starting point map ››
The Baylands Tree Walk begins at Environmental Volunteers’ EcoCenter, 2560 Embarcadero, Palo Alto.
Planted as part of a historic introduction of various Eucalyptus species in the Bay Area in the 20th Century
by Max Watson and Woody Metcalf. Unfortunately, this history is nearly lost to the City of Palo Alto except
to Dave Dockter in the Urban Forestry who has some of the records. Equally unfortunately this tree, Narrow
-leaved gimlet or swamp mallee, is not being widely grown in the nursery trade despite its apparent success
at this site. We will see more than one here today. From these specimens, it would seem to prefer growing as a
multi-trunk and would probably not make a good street tree. SelecTree says a height of 20-40 feet and spread of
20 feet, so you would need some space, but it would make a good specimen for an Australian dry garden if
that’s an aesthetic you prefer. May be grown at select specialty nurseries.
Melaleuca alternifolia is the “tea tree” plant. Tea tree oil has medicinal value for a variety of uses: antiseptic,
antifungal, reducing inflammation, and treatment of coughs and colds. Melaleucas are known in Australia
commonly as “paperbarks” due to their whitish, layered bark. The cream-colored, fluffy flowers are also a trait
of melaleucas. Melaleucas grow in seasonal swamps in Australia which explains why they do well in our dry/
wet climate.
Native to New Zealand. Easy to ID – picking a leaf and holding up to the light, you see yellow dots. Shiny leaves
and purple fruits. Formerly a popularly planted tree for coastal CA, now nearly decimated by Myoporum
thrips. This insect is hard to control because they get inside the leaves and distort them so pesticides
are difficult to reach, although there are some spray programs available. ‘Clean and Green’ is a resistant
cultivar according to Sunset. Avoiding drought stress seems to help with thrips resistance as well.
Planted in this area to give a tropical feel around the pond which was originally buillt for swimming. There
are now more trees than originally planted because the tree can reseed prolifically when fruit falls somewhere
conditions are favorable. Dates are not the edible dates that we buy, that is a related species, but these fruits
are edible if not as tasty. Eaten mainly by non-native birds, has some nesting value for wildlife. Susceptible
to Fusarium wilt which can be spread by pruning (dead fronds are typically removed in an urban setting).
Although we aren’t sure of the species, this tree serves as a testament to the difficult growing conditions here coastal winds, salty water table, periodic flooding. Only a select few species can tolerate these conditions
and many of them are from Australia, which has similar seasonal coastal swamps. However, roots need
oxygen, as well as water and a tree with permanently waterlogged roots, will die. Too much salt in the water
has its own hazards. Just as we cannot drink salt water and quench our thirst, salt draws water away from
plant tissues, dehydrating the plant.
These Casuarinas also appear to be casualties of the harsh conditions. We will see other Casuarinas later
on that were successful. The goofy common names of this plant tells a revealing story about how immigrants
from other parts of the world view trees. Europeans coming to Australia were all familiar with oaks, but
Casuarinas must have thrown them for a loop. Still, they chose to name the tree after a familiar tree from
home. It is surprising that immigrants to Australia did not call Casuarinas some kind of “Pine” since their
leaves much more resemble pine needles. And indeed Aussies do refer to all conifers generically as “pines.”
More about Casuarinas later.
Finally, an “oak” that is actually an oak, and not only that, native to California! Valley oak is native to
interior valleys, Sierra foothills and the Coast Ranges of California so it seems a bit out of its range here.
However, it is immune to Sudden Oak Death so someone probably thought it was worth a try here.
There’s plenty of space here for trees to reach their genetic potential of 70 feet or more, although wind
may keep them smaller. Trees are deciduous and with age produce twisted, drooping branches on a wide-spreading canopy.
An important native plant for wildlife, in the aster family. If you are planting a native garden at home, get
plants that are grown from seed from a native plant nursery that also sells to habitat restorers, because the
named cultivars sold in commercial nurseries are male clones. Plants grown from seed will produce seed and
will also have better genetic diversity. Typically the smaller native plant nurseries will be able to provide
you with the seed source of their plants so you know that not only is it not a clone, but if the plants come
from your region or elsewhere in the state.
What looks like needles are actually branches – the true leaves are inconspicuous. These trees are
supposed to do well in coastal areas and tolerate drought and salinity (although clearly even they have
their limits) Sunset says they can be planted in desert areas.
This is a rarity in California with a limited range even in its native Australia. Yet it seems to have been quietly
succeeding here. Flowers range from white, pink, purple, mauve. We usually see Eucalyptus here with
flowers that are white or in the red/orange/yellow color families so this is a nice pleasing exception.
Unlikely to be grown here but you may be able to order seeds or plants from Australia.
You cannot even find this tree in the newest Sunset, it has fallen so out of favor. However as we know if
we try to deny history we will fail to learn from it. Fortunately, there is still an entry for it on CalPoly’s
SelecTree website. There are many problems with Blackwood Acacia, including invasiveness – it will
reseed but the California Invasive Plant Council has classified its invasiveness as limited. However, it
was once widely planted for its tolerance to coastal conditions, attractive yellow flowers, and value as a
screening or shade tree.
Native to the California coast, although not directly in coastal winds or on the shore. Leaves can look very
different on the same plant – lower leaves are often spiny to deter browsers while leaves higher up lack
spines. “Shade leaves” are larger than “sun leaves.” For this reason, it is good practice to collect at least 10 leaves
from this tree – and indeed any tree – before trying to identify it, because this kind of variance is normal on
all trees. It is just more pronounced on Coast Live Oak. Trees are considered evergreen although they can go
through partial defoliation.
Native to southeastern Australia. May flower any time of year and flowers may be maroon, pink, or white.
Notable for its light brown, thick bark. Potential to grow 60-75 feet high and wide, so requires space to grow.
Grown in tropical areas as a lumber crop. From a 1963 US Forest Service report: Eucalyptus robusta wood is
excellent for purposes requiring high strength and for finish work where an attractively figured, dark reddish-brown wood is desired
The poetic common names describe the leaf and bark, or the appearance of the copious white flowers all
over the canopy. Like other melaleucas, it does well in swampy areas and could be a good solution for a poorly
drained site that other plants don’t like.
This tree ID may not be accurate because the flowers and seed capsules are not present. Let’s look on the
ground for any seed capsules to help out with ID. Eucalyptus camaldulensis has smooth, peeling bark and
lance-shaped, blue-green leaves. Flowers are white or yellow and seed capsules are bell-shaped with a pointed
bottom. As the common name suggests this tree can grow in wet areas.
From the Greek: “Lepto” = thin + “sperma” = seed. “laevigatum” = smooth, likely a reference to the leaves.
This plant looks best when it can sprawl irregularly. Attempts to manicure it will be futile and unsightly.
White, 5-petalled flowers in spring. Good in cool, coastal conditions. Subject to light brown apple moth.
Resembles Blackwood Acacia but smaller and shrubbier. (10-25 feet tall) Can sprawl and lay down
like Leptospermum laevigatum. Good screening plant. Like all acacias, Sydney Golden Wattle (wattle is a
common Aussie term for acacia) is in the bean family, Fabacae. This means it has the ability to fix nitrogen – it
can convert nitrogen present in the air to usable soil nitrogen thanks to small nodules on its roots. This
allows plants in this family to grow in nutrient-poor soils.
Eucalpytus rudis has rough-textured bark and ovate blue-green leaves. Flowers are cream-white and seed
capsules are bell-shaped (like half an acorn) with a star on the flat bottom. Native to southwestern Australia,
As the common name suggests this tree can grow in wet areas. This tree like the other Eucalpytus here was
part of a historic planting of rare Eucalyptus species to test what would be successful. Unfortunately, the exact
planting records were lost.
Why does this Myoporum look so different from the tree we saw earlier? Possible reasons: 1) could be a
resistant cultivar. 2) could be more resistant due to better growing conditions, i.e. wetter location, higher
water table, etc. 3) the smaller shrub form may be easier for water and nutrients to reach the leaves so
less stress on the plant overall, leaving it more able to resist the pests. Or a combination of any of these
reasons.
Native to the Mediterranean region. Generally planted as a screening plant because the flowers are
inconspicuous. Plants are either male or female and the females produce small black fruits, considered to
be toxic. Often seen with cloudy yellow leaves and dark green veins which is a sign of iron deficiency.
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.
