WHAT WE DO
by Kerry Methner on Mar 20th, 2025
    
...TREE PROGRAMS TO HELP OUR URBAN FOREST THRIVE GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS TO HONOR THOSE WITH VISION COMMEMORATIVE TREE PLAQUES TO CREATE LASTING LEGACIES PARTNERSHIPS TO KEEP SANTA BARBARA BEAUTIFUL SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT A BEAUTIFUL...
Japanese Yew Pine - Podocarpus macrophyllus
by David Gress on Jan 20th, 2025
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...The Japanese Yew Pine is a tidy and sustainable small- to medium-sized evergreen conifer that does quite well in Santa Barbara. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant tree naturally grows in shrub form and is frequently used for screening and hedging...
Blue Atlas Cedar - Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' - December 2024
by David Gress on Jan 3rd, 2025
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...The Blue Atlas Cedar is a conifer that bears strikingly silvery-blue-green needles, which make it a spectacular standout in any landscape. It will be large at maturity, potentially attaining a height of 60-feet with a 40-foot spread.  However, in ide...
Montezuma Cypress - Cupressus mucronatum - November 2024
by David Gress on Jan 3rd, 2025
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...Montezuma Bald Cypress is an extraordinary tree. There is an outstanding specimen (called the “Arbol del Tule”) in Santa Maria del Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico, which is estimated to be over 2,000 years old, and which holds the world’s record as the tree wit...
Karrajong Bottle Tree - Brachychiton populneum - October 2024
by David Gress on Jan 3rd, 2025
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...The Karrajong Bottle-tree was one of several varieties of Australian trees that were introduced into the Santa Barbara area by our pioneering horticulturists.  Many could be seen along city streets by the 1880s.  While its numbers seem to have dimini...
California Fan Palm - Washingtonia filifera - September 2024
by David Gress on Jan 3rd, 2025
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...The California Fan Palm is notable as the only palm that is native to California; it is indigenous to riparian desert canyons in our State. Beginning in the late 1800s, it was planted extensively in Santa Barbara, becoming a predominant feature along...
Soapberry Tree - Sapindus saponaria - August 2024
by David Gress on Jan 3rd, 2025
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...There are surprisingly large numbers of trees growing successfully in the Santa Barbara community that have origins in much wetter tropical and subtropical climates than ours, with the Soapberry being a good example.  This small- to medium-sized semi...
Annual Awards
by Kerry Methner on Aug 19th, 2024
    
...Each year, Santa Barbara Beautiful recognizes & celebrates outstanding individuals, organizations, and businesses who complete community projects throughout the city through our Annual Awards celebration. From small single-family residence do-it-your...
Moreton Bay Chestnut - Castanospermum australe - July 2024
by David Gress on Jul 22nd, 2024
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...The Moreton Bay Chestnut is a medium-sized tropical evergreen tree that bears luxurious shiny leaves and carries a broad rounded crown.  Because of its distinctive beauty, it was one of the first ornamental trees introduced into the Santa Barbara are...
Chinaberry Tree - Melia azedarach - June 2024
by David Gress on Jul 22nd, 2024
  
  • Tree of the Month
  
...With its pendulous leaves, the Chinaberry Tree is one of the most graceful of trees.  Graceful – and eye-catching:  in late spring and early summer, its lavender-colored flower clusters appear in a dazzling display.  In autumn, the lush foliage turns...