SF Bay Area Trees

Trees were the first thing I learned about the SF Bay Area ecology. I took my son Chris, who was about 8 at the time, out on a hike. He asked me "What kind of tree is that Dad?" Of course, coming from Connecticut, I didn't have a clue! So I went out and bought a couple of "tree finder" books. No luck. I was in Golden Gate Park or the Presidio and there were just too many ornamentals. Then I stumbled on to Trees of the West. At least half the time I was able to follow the decision tree and find out what I was looking at. The other half of the time I thought I was looking at some tree that only grows in Alaska! But by following the Native Trees book Chris and I started hiking in places where the trees grew. This helped me learn about "microbiotic communities" that are named by the kind of trees that grow there. And I started being able to identify the trees. Now they're old friends that help me learn more about birds, mushrooms and wildflowers. To learn more about the microbiotic communities read An Island Called California. It'll explain why one side of a hill is covered in grass and why another has trees. Or why Bay trees along the ocean look sculptured.

Pinaceae (Pine Family)

• 21 Pinus atenduata (Knobcone Pine)
• 20 Pinus coulteri (Coulter Pine)
• 23 Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine)
• 22 Pinus muricata (Bishop Pine)
• 24 Pseudotsuga taxifolia (Douglas Fir)
  

Taxodiaceae (Redwood Family)

• 26 Sequoia sepervirens (Coast Redwood)
  

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

Taxaceae (Yew Family)

• 32 Torreya californica (California Nutmeg)
  

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

• Salix ? (? Willow)

Juglandaceae (Walnut Family)

Betulaceae (Birch Family)

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

• 63 Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
  
• 64 Quercus wizlizeni (Interior Live Oak)
• 65 Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon Live Oak)
• 50 Quercus douglasi (Blue Oak)
• 52 Quercus lobata (Valley Oak)
• 53 Quercus kelloggi (California Black Oak)
• 66 Lithocarpus densiflora (Tanoak)
• 66 Castanopsis chrysophylla (Giant Chinquapin)

Platanaceae (Plane Family)

• Platanus racemosa (Western Sycamore)

Lauraceae (Laurel Family)

• 67 Umbellularia californica (California Laurel)
  

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

• Photinia arbutifolia (Toyon)

Hippocastanaceae (Horse-Chestnut Family)

55 Aesculus californica (California Buckeye)

Aceraceae (Maple Family)

• Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

• 69 Arbutus menziesi (Madrone)
  

Oleaceae (Olive and Ash Family)

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

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Last updated 26 March, 1995.