Bay Area Tree Species Guide
Peninsula Icon
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
Protected in 35 cities
20–70 ft tall
California Heritage
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
Protected in 35 cities
40–100 ft tall
Living Giant
Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
Protected in 35 cities
60–200+ ft (commonly 80–120 ft in landscapes) tall
SOD Spreader
California Bay Laurel
Umbellularia californica
Protected in 35 cities
20–80 ft tall
Fast But Fragile
Monterey Pine
Pinus radiata
Protected by size in most cities
40–100 ft tall
Coastal Character
Monterey Cypress
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa
Protected by size in most cities
40–80 ft tall
Controversial Giant
Blue Gum Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus
Protected by size in most cities
80–200+ ft tall
Mediterranean Classic
Italian Stone Pine
Pinus pinea
Protected by size in most cities
40–80 ft tall
Fall Color Star
American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Protected by size in most cities
50–80 ft tall
Urban Workhorse
London Plane Tree
Platanus × acerifolia
Protected by size in most cities
60–100 ft tall
South Bay Staple
Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Common street tree
40–60 ft tall
Root Problems
Camphor Tree
Cinnamomum camphora
Invasive potential
40–70 ft tall
Graceful Conifer
Deodar Cedar
Cedrus deodara
Widespread Bay Area
40–80 ft tall
Garden Favorite
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
Understory / garden tree
8–25 ft tall
Invasive & Fire Risk
Acacia
Acacia spp.
Invasive species
20–80 ft tall
📋 Free: Bay Area Tree Owner's Checklist
City-by-city permit rules, hiring questions, red flags , and emergency steps — in one printable PDF.
Written by Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A · Updated February 2026