| Arbor Day falls on April 30th this year, which gives you | | | | might want to plant a tree for its appearance. If you're |
| some time to prepare for planting a tree in your yard. | | | | just looking for a drought-tolerant plant to fill in negative |
| With so many different purposes for trees to serve, | | | | space, try planting an Acacia (Acacia sp.), Eucalyptus |
| you can't go wrong with celebrating the holiday to plant | | | | (Eucalyptus sp.) or Olive Tree (Olea europaea). If |
| a tree of your very own. However, you want to make | | | | you're going for a native landscape, try planting a |
| sure to do your research and plan out what type of | | | | Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) or Torrey Pine |
| tree you are going to plant. Trees will, with proper care, | | | | (Pinus torreyana). For creating a Polynesian-themed |
| live a very long time, so make sure you pick a tree | | | | paradise, consider planting an Orchid Tree (Bauhinia |
| that suits your needs. Whether you're considering | | | | purpurea), Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) or Hibiscus |
| planting a tree to celebrate Arbor Day, or you have a | | | | (Hibiscus sp.). |
| specific purpose in mind, consider the following trees | | | | Shade Trees |
| for your yard. | | | | Perhaps the most self-evident reason to plant a tree is |
| Agricultural Trees | | | | for its shade. Not only does the shade of a tree |
| You can save money on grocery expenses by | | | | provide you and your family with a nice, cool spot to |
| growing your own fruits, and since San Diego's climate | | | | have a picnic on a sunny day, it can also help reduce |
| is mild like the Mediterranean, you shouldn't be very | | | | your energy bills. By planting a tree of the right size |
| limited on the types of fruit trees available for growing. | | | | and in the right location, you can provide shade to your |
| You can plant one of several types of citrus trees like | | | | home, which will in turn reduce your need to keep it |
| lemons, oranges, limes, kumquats and tangerines, or | | | | cool with energy-loving appliances like AC units and |
| save money by growing your own avocados. | | | | fans. |
| With the price of avocados sometimes exceeding a | | | | For large spaces, you might want to consider planting |
| dollar each, you can save money each time you make | | | | a Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) or |
| home-made guacamole by avoiding the grocery store | | | | Sycamore (Platanus sp.) tree. For mid-sized trees, you |
| prices and grabbing some ripe avos off your own tree. | | | | might want to plant a colorful Jacaranda (Jacaranda |
| With the recent hikes in almond prices, you can also | | | | sp.), Golden Trumpet (Tabebuia chrysotricha) or |
| save some dough (pardon the pun) on the cost of | | | | Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) tree. If |
| making biscotti or marzipan by growing your own | | | | space is limited, try a smaller shade tree like a Crape |
| almond tree. | | | | Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) or a Chinese Wisteria |
| Ornamental Trees | | | | (Wisteria sinensis). Remember that whichever route |
| Are you looking to plant a tree to fulfill a design | | | | you take, there are many wholesale nurseries that you |
| concept? Perhaps you're just looking to fill in the | | | | can go to for expert advice about planting and care |
| emptiness of a big, flat lawn. Whatever reason, you | | | | instructions before buying your new tree. |