Riverside is an area that’s characterized by mature trees located along beautiful corridors around the river. These Riverside trees are frequently used as shade trees, but they can also lower your energy bills and will be a great addition to your landscape. The community thrives to ensure that new trees are regularly planted and identified. Hopefully, this article will help you make a choice on which tree to pick for your garden!
Keep reading to find out more about Riverside native trees, their characteristics, and proper maintenance!
Riverside Trees – Popular Varieties
1. Fremont Cottonwood
Fremont cottonwood grows in riparian areas near streams, rivers, and wetlands, which is why it is so common in Riverside. Its bark is very smooth while the tree is still young, then it gets deeply fissured with whitish cracked bark as it gets older. Flower clusters bloom from March to April and consist of a long dropping catkin. The fruit appears to look like patches of cotton hanging from limbs, which is where the name originates from. Heart-shaped leaves are most common and they usually have white veins and coarse crenate teeth along the sides.
This is a very large tree, growing to about 115 feet tall at maturity. It prefers plenty of sun and moist soil. Still, the tree is very tough and fairly easy to grow. In addition, Fremont cottonwood is considered to be a fast grower, so that’s just another plus. Most tree services California recommends it for both urban and residential planting.
2. Western Sycamore
This native tree is commonly found in floodplains, canyons, and along streams in several types of habitat. In its native range, Western sycamore is commonly used as a landscape tree. It’s characteristic due to its large trunk that splits into many branches. The bark is very unique, with areas of pinkish-gray, white, and pale tan. Of course, it gets darker as the tree gets older, but it doesn’t stop looking great. In addition, it has pretty big leaves, up to 10 inches wide, so the tree is also commonly used as a shade tree too.
At maturity, Western sycamore can grow up to 80 feet in height. The tree is quite tough and fairly easy to grow, but it does require regular irrigation or some rainfall. However, if you plant it by a stream or seep, your tree should be just fine.
3. Blue Elderberry
Blue elderberry is a deciduous, small tree, native in most parts of California, including Riverside. Like other trees on this list, it is one of the Riverside native trees with beautiful flowers in the spring and is commonly used in landscaping. In addition, the tree produces small, purple berries in the fall. These berries are a very important food source for different types of birds, so keep that in mind when planting this tree.
Once it hits maturity, Blue elderberry can grow up to 30 feet tall. Similarly to other trees native to Riverside, this tree is pretty tough and easy to grow. Once established, this tree can grow in almost any type of soil. Still, every tree service Riverside recommends making sure you provide regular irrigation.
Local Tree Experts Overview
Riverside trees are unique in few different aspects – they are all pretty tough, they usually prefer moist, and are commonly used in landscapes. In addition, these trees are usually fast growers, which is one of the reasons why residents often opt for them. We recommend consulting with your local arborist to get help and advice on how to care for your trees in Riverside when it comes to pruning, irrigation, and general maintenance.
