Published in the Contra Costa Times on November 29, 2003

Q. I would like to plant an evergreen conifer in my front yard. I am partial to native plants, but I had Monterey pines that had to be removed. Are there any options besides redwoods?

A. The Monterey pines are an excellent example of what happens when a rapid growing, short-lived tree is planted outside of the environment it has evolved in. Pinus radiata  is native only to three small areas along the California coast line, but it has been widely planted throughout California by many  people who thought that because it is a 'native' tree, that it would thrive with little attention. It is a good idea to plant natives, but as with everything else in life, there isn't one simple answer to your inquiry. Before you plant any kind of tree, there are a few important questions that  need to be answered. Do you know what the pH of your soil is ? ( pH can vary widely in this area).  What kind of soil will the tree be growing in? You cannot amend the soil throughout the entire rooting zone of a large tree. Choosing a tree that likes your soil and  pH is a great way to start. Next, what kind of drainage does the planting site have? Dig an 18" deep hole and fill it with water. If the water is still visible after a day, you need to rethink planting a tree in that site. Very few trees will tolerate poor drainage, although there are a few that might be happy.  Do you have wires overhead? Most conifers look very peculiar when they are topped. How quickly do you need this tree to grow? How much water are you willing to provide, and for how many years? Conifers can range from some of the pines that will need no supplemental water after the third-fourth year, to redwoods, which will need regular irrigation for the next 300, unless you are in a summer fog belt area.  

Having asked all these questions will help you make a good decision when you check in with your local nursery, but making the following assumptions, here are a few trees to consider. Assuming you have a soil pH of 6-8; good drainage, and a clay-loam soil, and you would like the tree to grow rapidly. You are willing to water for the first three to four years, but want the tree to be self-sustaining after that.   Given these parameters look at the following pines:  Pinus coulteri  Coulter pine;  Pinus sabiana Gray Pine; Pinus torreyana Torrey Pine. The Sequoias will grow rapidly if you give them regular water throughout the root zone during the dry months. These trees are not native to the hotter inland areas, nor are they tolerant of sodic conditions.  Choose your tree carefully. One last question;  Do you know what caused the Monterey Pines to die? If it was Pine Pitch Canker, you will need to look for a tree resistant to that problem.