Canopy Tree Library

Canopy's Tree Walks provide opportunities to observe, appreciate and learn about community trees. This list is an index of trees found the on the tree walks and their locations. Arborist-led Tree Walks are offered on the second Saturday of every month. Check Canopy Tree Walks to sign up or to access our fourteen self-guided walk.

This list includes trees that require low amounts of water, drought tolerant trees, and climate adapted trees that occur naturally in areas with climates similar to California's. Some species will survive the summer with no watering, especially if their root system has access to a permanent water table. Some species, including some of our native Oaks, will actually suffer from above-ground watering during the summer months. See our Tree Watering Guidelines.

These trees are native to the San Francisco Bay Area; California native trees not known to occur in the wild in the Bay Area are not included in this list. Canopy strongly recommends planting native trees in their native habitat, whenever possible, for their many benefits. Keep in mind that not all native tree species are in cultivation, some are highly specialized, and most are adapted to specific habitats and may not be appropriate for every urban site.

Canopy promotes planting the Right Tree in the Right Place. We believe it means the largest canopy tree appropriate for a given planting site. Shade trees provide the most environmental benefits as they cool our buildings and neighborhoods. The trees in this list will typically grow to create beautiful canopies at maturity.

This list features trees recommended by the City or Palo Alto Utilities Department and PG&E for planting under power lines. Planting the "Right Tree in the Right Place" avoids the need for constant, expensive trimming and the hazards leading to power outages and electrical fires.

Trees on this list have high water needs and will die or not grow to their full potential if not provided adequate amounts of water. Unless their root system has direct access to a permanent water table, these trees, even mature, need supplemental watering during the summer. Because of their high watering requirement, trees on this list should be given careful consideration before planting, especially in the dryer areas. See our Tree Watering Guidelines for more details.

The urban environment presents many challenges to trees. Some species should be avoided because they are either invasive, poor performers, or will create infrastructure or other problems.