March 29, 2009 George H. Spalding Lasca Leaves 21:64-70, 1971
Southern California gardeners are fortunate in having a wide
variety of trees available to them. Making a choice in this
situation is sometimes difficult. Aside from such horticultural
considerations as location, soil, and exposure there is the
attitude of the person making the selection, perhaps the most
important consideration of all. None of the trees are perfect,
if perfect means being in flower year round and never dropping
leaves. Nonetheless, there are a number which, though falling
short of this ideal, have, by reason of their adaptability,
great value as shade trees. Those discussed in this article are
outstanding in this respect. Podocarpus [now Afrocarpus]
gracilior Fern Pine This beautiful native of Africa is one of
the most outstanding shade trees for a wide range of situations.
Often sold in nurseries as Podocarpus elatior, it has been grown
in Southern California at least for 40-50 years. It is one of
the cleanest trees in that leaf