Protected Tree Species

Protected Tree Species

Glendale’s Protected Trees Program safeguards several native, or indigenous, tree species that are an important part of the city’s natural landscape. These trees provide shade, wildlife habitat, and environmental benefits throughout the community.

The species listed below may be protected when they meet the size requirements established in the Indigenous Tree Ordinance (GMC 12.44). Select a tree below to jump to its section and learn how to identify each species.

Note: Once you identify a protected species, visit the Rules & Permits page to learn when permits may be required.

Learn about the

California Bay

Learn about the

California Sycamore

Learn about the

Coast Live Oak

Learn about the

Mesa Oak

Learn about the

Scrub Oak

Learn about the

Valley Oak

NOT SURE WHAT TREE YOU HAVE?
Contact the Forestry Section at (818) 548-3950 for assistance.

California Bay

Umbellularia californica

California bay, also known as California bay laurel, is an evergreen tree native to California’s coastal and foothill regions. It is known for its glossy leaves and distinctive herbal fragrance when crushed. These trees play an important role in local ecosystems by providing shade and habitat for wildlife.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Glossy, dark green evergreen leaves
  • Strong herbal scent when leaves are crushed
  • Smooth gray bark that darkens with age
  • Produces small yellow-green flowers and olive-like fruit
California Bay tree flower buds

Where It’s Commonly Found

California bay trees grow in canyon and foothill environments throughout California, including natural areas surrounding Glendale.

Large California bay laurel tree

California Bay

Umbellularia californica

California bay, also known as California bay laurel, is an evergreen tree native to California’s coastal and foothill regions. It is known for its glossy leaves and distinctive herbal fragrance when crushed. These trees play an important role in local ecosystems by providing shade and habitat for wildlife.

Where It’s Commonly Found

California bay trees grow in canyon and foothill environments throughout California, including natural areas surrounding Glendale.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Glossy, dark green evergreen leaves
  • Strong herbal scent when leaves are crushed
  • Smooth gray bark that darkens with age
  • Produces small yellow-green flowers and olive-like fruit
California Sycamore tree on Glendale street

California Sycamore

Platanus racemosa

California sycamore is one of the tallest native trees in Southern California and is easily recognized by its broad upright canopy and multicolored bark. The bark naturally peels away in patches, revealing lighter layers beneath and giving the tree its distinctive appearance. Sycamores provide valuable shade and habitat for birds and other wildlife.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Large, deciduous canopy

  • Light-colored bark that peels away to reveal white and tan patches

  • Large maple-like leaves

  • Round seed balls that hang from branches

Where It’s Commonly Found

California sycamores commonly grow along rivers, streams, and canyon bottoms throughout Southern California.

California Sycamore

Platanus racemosa

California sycamore is one of the largest native trees in Southern California and is easily recognized by its broad canopy and multicolored bark. The bark naturally peels away in patches, revealing lighter layers beneath and giving the tree its distinctive appearance. Sycamores provide valuable shade and habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Where It’s Commonly Found

California sycamores commonly grow along rivers, streams, and canyon bottoms throughout Southern California.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Large, spreading canopy

  • Light-colored bark that peels away to reveal white and tan patches

  • Large maple-like leaves

  • Round seed balls that hang from branches

Coast Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia

Coast live oak is a large evergreen oak native to California and one of the most iconic trees in the region. These long-lived trees provide important habitat and food sources for many species of birds, mammals, and insects. Their wide spreading branches create dense shade and contribute significantly to the character of Southern California’s natural landscapes.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Dense evergreen canopy
  • Thick, leathery leaves with spiny edges
  • Broad, spreading branches
  • Produces acorns
Coast live oak tree leaves with new growing acorn

Where It’s Commonly Found

Coast live oaks are commonly found in foothill areas, canyons, and open spaces throughout Glendale and much of coastal and Southern California.

Coast live oak tree in park

Coast Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia

Coast live oak is a large evergreen oak native to California and one of the most iconic trees in the region. These long-lived trees provide important habitat and food sources for many species of birds, mammals, and insects. Their wide spreading branches create dense shade and contribute significantly to the character of Southern California’s natural landscapes.

Where It’s Commonly Found

Coast live oaks are commonly found in foothill areas, canyons, and open spaces throughout Glendale and much of coastal and Southern California.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Dense evergreen canopy
  • Thick, leathery leaves with spiny edges
  • Broad, spreading branches
  • Produces acorns

Mesa Oak

Quercus engelmannii

Mesa oak, also known as Engelmann oak, is a rare native oak species found in parts of Southern California. Compared with other oak species, it has a more limited natural range and is considered an important tree for regional conservation. Mesa oaks typically develop broad canopies and oval-shaped leaves. Because they are less common than other native oaks, they are especially important to protect when found within Glendale.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Rounded evergreen canopy with spreading branches

  • Light green to gray-green leaves
  • Smooth gray bark that becomes lightly furrowed with age
  • Produces large acorns

Where It’s Commonly Found

Mesa oaks are typically found in inland valleys and foothill regions of Southern California and are less common than other native oak species.

Mesa Oak

Quercus engelmannii

Mesa oak, also known as Engelmann oak, is a rare native oak species found in parts of Southern California. Compared with other oak species, it has a more limited natural range and is considered an important tree for regional conservation. Mesa oaks typically develop broad canopies and rounded leaves. Because they are less common than other native oaks, they are especially important to protect when found within Glendale.

Where It’s Commonly Found

Mesa oaks are typically found in inland valleys and foothill regions of Southern California and are less common than other native oak species.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Rounded canopy with spreading branches
  • Light green to gray-green leaves
  • Smooth gray bark that becomes lightly furrowed with age
  • Produces large acorns

Scrub Oak

Quercus berberidifolia

Scrub oak is a hardy native oak that typically grows as a dense shrub or small tree. It often forms thick clusters of vegetation on hillsides and foothill slopes, providing shelter and food for wildlife. Although smaller than many oak species, scrub oak plays an important ecological role in Southern California landscapes.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Dense growth habit that may resemble a large evergreen shrub

  • Thick leaves with spiny or toothed edges
  • Twisting branches and multiple stems
  • Produces small acorns

Where It’s Commonly Found

Scrub oak commonly grows on dry hillsides and foothill slopes throughout Southern California, including areas surrounding Glendale.

Scrub Oak

Quercus berberidifolia

Scrub oak is a hardy native oak that typically grows as a dense shrub or small tree. It often forms thick clusters of vegetation on hillsides and foothill slopes, providing shelter and food for wildlife. Although smaller than many oak species, scrub oak plays an important ecological role in Southern California landscapes.

Where It’s Commonly Found

Scrub oak commonly grows on dry hillsides and foothill slopes throughout Southern California, including areas surrounding Glendale.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Dense growth habit that may resemble a large shrub
  • Thick leaves with spiny or toothed edges
  • Twisting branches and multiple stems
  • Produces small acorns

Valley Oak

Quercus lobata

Valley oak is the largest native oak species in California and can live for several hundred years. These impressive trees develop massive trunks and wide spreading branches that create expansive shade. Valley oaks are considered one of the most significant native trees in California’s natural landscape.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Large deciduous oak with a broad canopy
  • Deeply lobed leaves
  • Thick trunk with wide spreading branches
  • Produces large acorns

Where It’s Commonly Found

Valley oaks are typically found in valleys and open landscapes throughout California and appear in specific locations throughout Southern California.

Valley Oak

Quercus lobata

Valley oak is the largest native oak species in California and can live for several hundred years. These impressive trees develop massive trunks and wide spreading branches that create expansive shade. Valley oaks are considered one of the most significant native trees in California’s natural landscape.

Where It’s Commonly Found

Valley oaks are typically found in valleys and open landscapes throughout California and appear in specific locations throughout Southern California.

How to Identify This Tree

  • Large deciduous oak with a broad canopy
  • Deeply lobed leaves
  • Thick trunk with wide spreading branches
  • Produces large acorns

Need Help Identifying a Tree?

If you are unsure whether a tree on your property may be a protected species, contact the Forestry Section at (818) 548-3950 before performing any pruning, removal, or construction work near the tree. You can also visit the Rules & Permits page for more information about protected tree regulations and permit requirements.