Re: Trees for Medit. area

Hello,
I would save your money for a tree that does better in
windy coastal situations, such as Marina.  Jacarandas
just don't bloom all that well so close to the coast,
unless you can give them a courtyard situation with
some protection from cool coastal winds, and with lots
of walls and masonry to reradiate heat.  I would love
to also plant this tree as a street tree here in
Berkeley, to replace the boring old Fruitless Mulberry
Trees, but as we get lots of wind straight off the
bay, I know that it would never bloom as well as it
should.  The Jacaranda probably would do great if
surrounded to the east, north and west by a 2 story
building, with concrete or brick paving below it.  I
remember seeing just such a tree growing up in
Burlingame, on the San Francisco peninsula, and it
seemed the height of exotica when in bloom in June.

Also, I would be cautious about planting Jacaranda and
Bauhinia in Sierra foothill zones, they are probably
much safer in USDA zone 9b conditions than 9a, and do
much better in areas that get warm spring weather,
such as inland southern California.  I would like to
experiment with Bauhinia forficata here in the SF Bay
Area, but suspect it also blooms better out of coastal
winds and fog.  I can't control either, being directly
infront of the Golden Gate Bridge, if there is any fog
to be had here in the East Bay, we get it first!  



		
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