Our City Forest - Planting Our Future Document

Heritage Trees of San Jose

According to the City of San Jose, certain trees are found because of factors including but not limited to, history, girth, height, species or unique quality, to have a special significance to the community and are hereby designated Heritage Trees and placed on the Heritage Tree List. See Heritage Tree List document Make a point to visit them over the course of the year. They are extraordinary and will surely inspired the poet in you.

Heritage Tree Sycamore Sycamore Heritage Tree

This 72" diameter, California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) home to red-tailed hawks, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds, graces the front lawn of a home at 660 Willow Glen Way. (Identifier: HT-06-022). Trees in this family are valued for their wood which is used to make everything from musical instruments to cutting boards.
And throughout history, sycamores have been considered sacred by many people.

Heritage Tree Sycamor California Bay

This 42" diamter California Bay Tree (Umbellularia californica) is tucked away at 1237 Brace Street, where this side street off Lincoln Ave.ends. (Identifier:
HT-06-001)

Heritage Treeyes Cedar Deodar

These three large diameter cedars are an Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), Cedar of Lebanon (C. libani), and a Deodar Ceda (deodara) and are located at 800 Malone Rd. (Identifier: HT-06-008)

Black Mission Fig separate Black Mission Fig 2

Behind the historic Roberto Adobe on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen, you can see one of the oldest Black Mission fig trees (Ficus carica) in Santa Clara County with a diameter of 38" In the photo above, notice that the major branches are being supported by beams. (Identifier: HT-03-012 770)

Westwood Drive Canopy

No drive through Willow Glen is complete without going down Westwood Drive off Willow Road, where twenty-one 30" and greater diameter Camphor Trees (Cinnamomum camphora) link branches to form a beautiful canopy thoroughfare from 1009 through 1090 Westwood Drive. (Identifier: HG-06-006 1009)

Canary Pine

This 34" diameter Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) was found at the Hayes Mansion off Edenvale Avenue in San José. (Identifier:HT-02-003 200)

Mexican Fan Palms

Eighty Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) which are part of the original neighborhood design by John McClaren (superintendent and designer of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park) once lined Martin Ave. between Park Ave. and the Alameda. If I counted right while driving slowly down the street, seventy-seven are still there. (Identifier:HG-06-007)

Shasta Ave. Cedar separator Shasta Ave. Cedar 2

A 42" and a 48" Deodara Cedar (Cedrus deodara) can be viewed at 1465 and 1537 Shasta Ave near Lincoln High School and the Rosegarden. (Identifier:HT-06-017)

Chestnut 1 sep Chestnut 2 sep Chestnut 3

Six large diameter European Chestnuts (Castanea sativa) were planted by John McLaren. Three of these unusual species remain on Sierra Avenue, north of Park Ave although they are showing their age and the effects of topping.
(Identifier:HG-06-004)

Magnolia with cat

This 48" Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) can be seen at 1225 Hanchett Avenue in the Rosegarden section of San José (Identifier:HT-06-006)

New Photos Coming Up!

Fifteen large diameter Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) once graced University Ave., south of Park. Most are still there. These two majestic specimens below are at 1440 University Ave.. (Identifier:HG-06-005)

Nominations for Heritage Tree Status

In my quest to photograph the heritage trees of San José, I have come across a number of specimens that I think are viable candidates for this honor. For instance, below is a magnolia tree I discovered near Willow Glen High School with astonishing limbs that branch out from the base on upward.

Magnolia candidate for heritage status