The Arkadia Tree Encyclopedia

Know your tree. Care for it well.

A considered guide to the trees that shape Orange County homes. Start with a name, find a little more confidence, and keep growing.

Begin Here

Every tree has a story.

Most tree questions begin the same way: “What is this?” The answer is a useful place to start. Browse the trees we see most often in local gardens, then learn what they need, what to watch for, and how to help them thrive.

Find your tree

Italian Cypress

A timeless, architectural sentinel — tall, narrow, and unwavering. The Italian Cypress brings structure, verticality, and a sense of permanence to any Southern California landscape.

Podocarpus

A refined, slow-growing evergreen prized for its dense, dark foliage and remarkable versatility — equally at home as a tall privacy screen, a formal hedge, or a graceful standalone specimen.

Melaleuca Tree

A resilient, multi-stemmed tree with peeling ivory bark and a quiet elegance — one of Southern California’s most adaptable and low-maintenance choices.

Ficus Tree

A bold, fast-growing canopy tree that thrives in the Southern California climate and rewards attentive care with dense, glossy foliage year-round.

Olive Tree

A patient, sculptural tree that rewards thoughtful care with silver leaves, deep roots, and a character all its own.

Silver Sheen

A fast-growing, silver-leafed screening tree loved across Orange County for its fine texture, graceful movement in the breeze, and year-round privacy without the bulk.

Eucalyptus

A bold, fast-growing giant with aromatic silver-blue foliage and peeling bark that tells its age — iconic across Southern California and one of the most powerful trees in the landscape when properly managed.

Carrotwood

A tough, handsome evergreen canopy tree that has earned its place across Orange County — reliable, dense, and quietly beautiful in any residential landscape that needs real shade. Read time: 5 min read