Rresilient Trees for a cooling green canopy

 Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)

A keystone evergreen oak native to coastal Southern California, with dense foliage and deep roots that make it highly fire-resilient and ecologically vital.

California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)

An ideal fire-safe shade tree native to coastal California—endorsed by local fire departments for its relatively fire-resistant traits.

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

A versatile evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its moderate fire resistance, drought tolerance, and cultural significance as “California holly”.

Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)

An evergreen tree that often survives fire damage through rapid resprouting. Its berries support many native bird species, making it ecologically rich and resilient.

Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)

One of California’s most drought-adapted deciduous oaks. It's tough, leathery leaves and deep roots help it withstand fire and drought; it’s also resistant to sudden oak death.

California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii)

A resilient deciduous oak that survives fire by resprouting from its root crown. It provides rich habitat and food for wildlife and adapts well to fire-prone landscapes.

Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)

A fire-tolerant conifer with thick basal bark. It often survives lower-intensity fires and resprouts effectively after disturbance—making it a smart choice for fire-resilient plantings.

Bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa)

This native conifer has extremely thick bark and the ability to regrow buds even after crown fires—traits that enable it to recover with vigor after intense wildfire events.