California Native Trees: 18 Species That Belong in Your Yard

California has more native tree species than any other state. Over 60 tree species evolved here, adapted to everything from coastal fog to desert heat to Sierra snow. And most of them need far less water than the non-native trees filling California nurseries.

Planting native trees isn’t just about drought tolerance (though that’s a big reason in a state where water costs keep climbing). Natives support local wildlife, resist local pests and diseases without chemicals, and look like they belong. A valley oak in a Sacramento yard looks right. A pin oak from Ohio looks lost.

If you’re gardening in the Central Valley specifically, check our trees native to Sacramento guide for a more focused list. This guide covers the whole state.

Why plant California natives?

Drought adapted. Most California natives evolved with dry summers. Once established (2-3 years), many survive on rainfall alone or minimal supplemental irrigation. In a state where landscape irrigation accounts for 50% of residential water use, that matters.

Wildlife support. California native oaks alone support over 300 species of wildlife, including insects, birds, and mammals. Non-native trees support a fraction of that biodiversity. If you want birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects in your yard, plant natives.

No chemical dependence. Natives resist local pests and diseases because they co-evolved with them. You won’t need to spray your coast live oak for anything. That non-native birch? Good luck fighting aphids and borers without chemicals.

Fire resilience. Many California natives have fire-adapted traits: thick bark, deep roots, and the ability to resprout from the base after fire. In fire-prone areas, a landscape of well-maintained natives is safer than one full of flammable non-native species.

California native oaks

Oaks are California’s signature trees. Six species dominate residential landscapes, and all of them outperform non-native oaks in California conditions.

Solitary California oak tree against a blue sky on golden rolling hills

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)

The most widely planted California native tree, and for good reason. Evergreen, drought-tolerant once established, and long-lived (250+ years). Develops a broad, rounded canopy that provides year-round shade. The dark green leaves stay on the tree through winter.

Zones: 9-11
Mature size: 25-70 feet tall, 40-80 feet spread
Growth rate: Medium (1-2 feet/year)
Water needs: Low once established (no summer irrigation after year 3)
Where it thrives: Coastal and inland valleys below 3,000 feet

Coast live oak is sensitive to summer irrigation around the trunk once mature. Don’t plant a lawn under established oaks or change drainage patterns. Root crown rot (Phytophthora) kills more mature coast live oaks than any other cause, and it’s almost always triggered by summer watering.

Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)

Valley oaks dotting golden California grassland hillside in summer

The largest North American oak. Valley oaks can reach 100 feet tall with a canopy spread of 80+ feet. They’re the majestic trees you see dotting Central Valley grasslands. Deciduous, with deeply lobed leaves and massive, spreading limbs.

Zones: 7-11
Mature size: 40-100 feet tall, 40-80 feet spread
Growth rate: Medium-fast (2-3 feet/year when young)
Water needs: Low once established
Where it thrives: Central Valley, inland valleys, foothills below 2,000 feet

Valley oaks need space. Plant one only if you have room for an 80-foot canopy in 50 years. In the right yard, nothing compares. A mature valley oak increases property value more than almost any other landscape feature.

Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)

The most drought-tolerant California oak. Blue oaks survive on 15-20 inches of annual rainfall with zero supplemental irrigation. The blue-gray leaves are distinctive, and the tree develops a picturesque branching pattern with age. Deciduous.

Zones: 7-10
Mature size: 20-50 feet tall, 30-50 feet spread
Growth rate: Slow (1 foot/year or less)
Water needs: Very low (no irrigation once established)
Where it thrives: Foothill woodlands, 500-3,000 feet elevation

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni)

Similar to coast live oak but more heat and drought tolerant. Thrives in the hot inland valleys where coast live oaks struggle. Evergreen, dense canopy, excellent for shade and wildlife habitat.

Zones: 8-11
Mature size: 30-70 feet tall, 30-70 feet spread
Growth rate: Medium
Water needs: Low once established
Where it thrives: Central Valley, inland valleys, foothills

Smaller native trees for residential yards

Not every yard can handle a 70-foot oak. These natives stay manageable and work in typical suburban lots.

Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

California’s native redbud. Magenta-pink flowers smother bare branches in March before leaves emerge. Small, multi-stemmed tree that fits in tight spaces. Totally drought-tolerant once established. The seed pods add fall interest and birds eat the seeds.

Zones: 6-9
Mature size: 10-20 feet tall and wide
Growth rate: Medium
Water needs: Very low once established
Best for: Small yards, slopes, under larger trees, ornamental specimen

This is one of the best native trees for a small yard. It blooms when not much else does, stays small, and asks for almost nothing once roots are down.

Redbud tree covered in vivid pink flowers blooming in a park in spring

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

White flower candles blooming on a buckeye tree branch in spring

White flower candles in May that perfume the whole yard. Rounded canopy of palmate leaves. Here’s the catch: California buckeye drops its leaves in summer as a drought adaptation. By August, it’s bare. Some people hate this. I think it’s honest. The tree is telling you it’s doing exactly what California plants are supposed to do.

Zones: 7-10
Mature size: 15-30 feet tall, 15-30 feet spread
Growth rate: Medium
Water needs: Very low (no summer water needed; summer water can actually harm it)
Where it thrives: Foothills, inland valleys, slopes

Catalina Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii)

Glossy dark green cherry laurel leaves glistening in sunlight

Evergreen with glossy, dark leaves and small white flower clusters in spring. Fast growth for a native. Excellent for screening, hedges, and privacy. Produces small black cherries that birds love.

Zones: 9-11
Mature size: 15-40 feet tall, 15-30 feet spread
Growth rate: Fast (2-3 feet/year with some water)
Water needs: Low to moderate
Best for: Privacy screening, hedges, coastal landscapes

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Close-up of bright red toyon berries against dark green foliage

California’s “Christmas berry.” Clusters of bright red berries in December and January make this the state’s most festive native plant. White flowers in summer attract pollinators. Evergreen. Can be grown as a large shrub or trained as a small tree.

Zones: 8-11
Mature size: 6-15 feet tall (can reach 25 feet)
Growth rate: Medium
Water needs: Very low once established
Best for: Wildlife, winter color, slopes, foundation plantings

Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)

Close-up of peeling Pacific madrone bark revealing smooth red-orange wood underneath

One of the most beautiful trees on the West Coast. Smooth, peeling bark reveals red-orange and green patches. Evergreen, with white flower clusters and red berries. Native from British Columbia to Southern California but does best in coastal influence zones.

Zones: 7-9
Mature size: 20-50 feet tall
Growth rate: Slow to medium
Water needs: Low (does not tolerate summer irrigation once mature)
Caveat: Finicky about transplanting. Buy small, plant young, and don’t move it.

Native conifers

Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

Road winding through towering coast redwood trees in a California forest

Yes, you can plant a redwood in a residential yard. It’ll grow fast (3-5 feet/year) and eventually get tall, but many suburban neighborhoods have 50-60 foot redwoods growing just fine. They need more water than most California natives (regular deep watering through summer) but reward you with a towering, soft-needled tree that nothing else replicates.

Zones: 7-9
Mature size: 60-100+ feet in landscapes (350 feet in the wild)
Growth rate: Very fast (3-5 feet/year)
Water needs: Moderate (needs summer water, especially inland)
Where it thrives: Coastal influence zones, irrigated landscapes

Don’t plant a redwood 15 feet from your house. Give it at least 30 feet from structures and consider the eventual height near power lines.

Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)

Fast-growing native pine that reaches 40-60 feet. Native range is tiny (three small coastal areas) but widely planted throughout California. Deep green needles, attractive form, and fast shade.

Zones: 8-10
Mature size: 40-80 feet tall, 25-35 feet spread
Growth rate: Fast (3+ feet/year)
Water needs: Low to moderate
Lifespan: Shorter than many pines (60-80 years); susceptible to pine pitch canker in some areas

Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)

Columnar native conifer with flat sprays of aromatic foliage. Naturally narrow form makes it a great native alternative to Italian cypress for columnar screening. Drought-tolerant once established. The reddish bark is attractive.

Zones: 5-8
Mature size: 50-70 feet tall, 8-15 feet wide
Growth rate: Medium
Water needs: Low to moderate
Best for: Screening, windbreaks, narrow spaces

Gray Pine (Pinus sabiniana)

The foothill pine. Open, airy form with gray-green needles. Not a shade tree but a character tree. The massive cones (up to 10 inches) are impressive. Extremely drought-tolerant. Works best in foothill and rural settings where its open form fits the landscape.

Zones: 7-10
Mature size: 40-60 feet tall
Water needs: Very low
Best for: Foothill landscapes, rural properties, wildlife (woodpeckers love the cones)

Planting California natives

When to plant: October through February, before the rainy season starts. UC Davis and the Sacramento Tree Foundation both recommend fall planting. Trees planted before the winter rains establish roots with free water from the sky. See our tree planting guide for technique.

Don’t amend the soil. Seriously. California natives evolved in the soil you have. Adding compost or potting soil to the planting hole creates a bathtub that holds water around roots adapted to drainage. Dig the hole, plant in native soil, and mulch the surface.

Water to establish, then stop. New natives need regular water for the first 2-3 summers (weekly deep soaking). After that, most can survive on rainfall alone in areas receiving 15+ inches annually. In the Central Valley, a monthly deep soak from June through September keeps them looking their best without wasting water. Follow our watering schedule for new trees for the first few years.

Where to buy: California Native Plant Society (CNPS) holds plant sales statewide. Local native nurseries carry species appropriate to your region. Avoid big-box stores for natives. Their stock is often grown in conditions that don’t prepare plants for California’s dry summers.

Choosing by region

Coastal California (San Francisco to San Diego): Coast live oak, Catalina cherry, toyon, coast redwood, Pacific madrone, western redbud

Central Valley (Sacramento to Bakersfield): Valley oak, interior live oak, western redbud, California buckeye, blue oak, incense cedar

Foothills (Sierra foothills, coastal ranges): Blue oak, gray pine, California buckeye, interior live oak, toyon, incense cedar

Southern California inland: Coast live oak, Catalina cherry, toyon, western redbud, California sycamore, Torrey pine (San Diego area)

Mountain communities (3,000-6,000 ft): Incense cedar, Jeffrey pine, California black oak, big-leaf maple

California natives are the right trees for California yards. They’ve had millions of years to figure out how to grow here. The best thing you can do is plant them, water them for two summers, and get out of the way. For ideas on building a complete landscape around your native trees, check mklibrary.com’s guide to landscaping investments.