African Golden Walnut, Tigerwood, Congo Wood. Lovoa trichilioides. Meliaceae.
Furniture. Note: Not a Walnut. A bark of the tea can be used to treat hangovers, heartburn and diarrhea.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
African Sausage. Kigelia pinnata. Bignoniaceae.
Deciduous, hieght 40 ft., panicles of noctumal, bell-shaped, scented, deep red flowers which become bean pod shaped, woody brown fruits on 3" stalks. Named after gourd-like fruit. Locally medicinal. Bark is used for wounds and sores and the leaves for dysentery. The bark and leaves also treat kidney trouble.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
African Tulip Tree, Flame Tree. Spathodea campanulata. Bignoniaceae.
Ornamental. Street tree. A leaf tea has been used as a poison antidote and for kidney problems.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Allspice, Pimento, Jamaica Pepper. Pimenta dioica. Myrtaceae.
Evergreen, height 40 ft., leathery, oblong leaves, small white flowers followed by summer berries. Native to Central America and the Caribbean. Spice from unripe berries. Flavoring in Benedictine and Chartreuse. Berries are cooking spice, also used to treat indigestion, gas and diabetes. Oil of the berries contain the chemical eugenol and has numbing effect used by dentists as a local anesthetic.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Blue Gum Tree, Fever Tree. Eucalyptus globulus. Myrtaceae.
Evergreen, 150-200 ft., aromatic leaves are bluish-green, small white flowers, papery bark. Australian. Leaf is used. E.O. includes 70% eucalyptol. Main action on the lungs. Is expectorant, relieves coughing, used for bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, allergic asthma. Tuberculosis. Nasal and head congestion, watery nasal discharge. Sinusitis. Also for remittent fevers: malaria, typhus, cholera. Planted in malaria areas Good for eruptive fevers: measles, chicken pox, scarlet fever. Joint and muscle aches, acute rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, headache, migraine. Clears urogenital infections (cystitis, nephritis, vaginal discharge) with douches. Oil is used in respiratory inhalants and cold care; also repels fleas.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
California Bay. Umbellularia californica. Lauraceae.
Evergreen, height 75 ft., aromatic foliage, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers and edible nut-like fruit. Native of California and Oregon. From Oregon down to San Diego county, in moist areas. The aromatic oil is used as smelling salts when dizzy or faint. The tea or tincture is anodyne and antispasmodic for neuralgia or intestinal cramps, also to treat headaches. Use several leaves as a bath for joint pain and arthritis. Can be used as a substitute for bay laurel to flavor soups and stews. Aromatic leaves are used to make a tea or steam for sinus headaches, stomach upset, rheumatism and in cooking.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
California Black Walnut. Juglans californica. Juglandaceae.
Evergreen, height 15-30 ft., several trunks branching near the base. Catkins in spring, fruit in fall. California native. Green fruits that quickly turn dark brown and stain, with nut inside. Grow wild mostly in southern California, along waterways. Husks and leaves may cause severe dermatitis. The inner bark is a cathartic. Astringent and tonic to colon. Helps in diarrhea and to improve mucous membrane absorption of nutrients. The official plant in pharmacopeias is Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, a large tree with furrowed bark. The hull contains juglone, which has strong anti-fungal properties. It is used to treat gastro-enteritis, candida infections, diarrhea due to intestinal parasites. It also contains organic iodine, a remedy for toxic blood in diseases like diphtheria, syphilis, carbuncles. Good for bleeding surfaces or ulcerations. Also used for worms. The husk around the nut produces a dark dye, and can be used as a laxative and to reduce cholesterol. Crushed leaves repel insects.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
California Buckeye. Aesculus californica. Hippocastanaceae.
Deciduous, height 15-40 ft., leaves bright green, turning yellow in summer and droping in early fall. Fragrant cream colored flowers followed by leathery fruit capsules. Native to California. The officinal tree used for venous congestion is Horse Chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum. Extracts are used to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids/toxic when fresh and unprocessed.
Watering needs: Daily if possible. Heavy user of water, needs a little all the time.
Camphor Tree. Cinnamomum camphora. Lauraceae.
Evergreen, height 60 ft., spread 80 ft., Leaves shiny, yellow-green through winter and in spring becomes forest green with flushes of pink, red or bronze. Resin containing essential oil [E.O.] is used. Name comes from Arabic kafur, meaning chalk. Is also official in oriental medicine. Both strengthening and calming, with warming and cooling potential. Smell of camphor used for moths (although now synthetic). Contains ketones (which increase flow of mucus). Stimulates heart and circulation, stimulates brain, helping in collapse and fainting. Diahoretic (promotes sweating), reduces fever. Good for painful sinuses. Is used in gastro-enteritis as a digestive stimulant. Reduces inflammation, pain and swelling, and is used in sprains and ulcers. Sap is source for camphor oil used in ointments for sore muscles and antiseptic for cuts and scrapes. The fragrant insect repeling wood is highly esteemed for cabinets and wardrobe chests.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Chaste Tree, Chaste Berry, Monk's Pepper. Vitex agnus castus. Verbenaceae.
Deciduous, height 6-25 ft., muti-trunked, aromaticpalmate leaves, with 7" spikes of lavender flower clusters in summer and fall, fruit is drupe. Supposed to ensure chastity in medieval times. Native of Asia and S.W. Europe. Berries (seeds) are used. Balances hormones. Also rebalances hormones after birth control pill. Galactagogue. Good for PMS and heavy or suppressed or irregular menses, and pressure in breasts. Used for pain or weakness in limbs, and paralysis. Seeds are used to reduce the size of fibroid tumors.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Chinese Jujube, Jujube. Zizyphus jujuba. Rhamnaceae.
Deciduous, height 20-30 ft., the branches are spiny and gnarled, leaves shiny, bright green with three prominent veins, yellow flowers in late spring. Fruit looks like a small red date. Nutritive, emollient, expectorant, diuretic. Used for throat and lung inflammations, bronchitis; bowel and urinary inflammations. Supposed to allay sexual desires. Simmer for 30 minutes. Also source of shellac. Fruits are used as a tonic to improve digestion, strength and vitality, also to support liver in detoxifying the blood.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Chinese Juniper. Juniperus chinensis. Cupressaceae.
Evergreen, height 20 ft., needle-like leaves. Berry like cones ripen to blue-black in second or third year. Branches irregular with twisted appearance. Berries are diuretic, strong antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties helpful in treating infections. Berries used for urinary tract infections
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Chinese Pistache, Bunge. Pistacia chinensis. Anacardiaceae.
Young shoots used in China as a vegetable.
Cinnamon. Cinnamomum zeylanicum. C. verum. Lauraceae.
Evergreen, height 30 ft., with panicles of tiny cream colored, malodrous flowers and purple berries. Native to Southern Asia. Bark containing E.O. is used. Warming and delicious in teas - or pastry! Used for colds and exhaustion, debility. Stimulates digestions, good for nausea, dizziness. Also for delayed menses, diarrhea. Bark used in decoction or tincture. Drunk hot, stimulates circulation, drunk cold, warms the interior. E.O.is one of the strongest antibacterial agents. Can be irritating to the skin (cinnamic aldehydes). Take E.O. only in a capsule, w/ olive oil.
Coast Live Oak. Quercus agrifolia. Fagaceae.
Evergreen, height 100 ft., flowers are catkins followed by slender pointed acorns. Native to southern California and Northern Baja California. Spiny Leaves. Below 1200 m., canyon bottoms, humid hillsides. Oak grove, Julian, Cuyamaca, Alpine, Campo. Bitter, astringent tannin on acorns. Indians ground and leached acorn meal into bread. (John Muir was fond of it because strengthening). Ground meal was left to mildew by Pomo Indians, and used like penicillin to treat boils, sores, inflammations. Cahuillas used ashes medicinally. Dye from the bark. Acorns used to make musical instruments and toys. Animals like quail, chipmunks, deer, elk, mountain sheep eat acorns when no other food is available during winter. Acorns when leached resemble other nuts. Have calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, fat and protein. Good in cookies and bread. Inner bark is used as astringent for inflammations, a gargle for sour throats and a intestinal tonic.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
Coffee Berry, "Yerba del oso". Rhamnus californica. Rhamnaceae.
Red berries become black when ripe. Have a laxative action, due to anthraquinone glucosides. Also used as a digestive tonic. Spanish Californians used it against poison oak. Branches were boiled in a tub of water, and patient bathed in it, rubbing himself with the branches. Supposed to bring quick relief. Bark of root was used for many ailments, including flu and rheumatism. Bark is dried and aged to use for a reliable laxative.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
Desert Willow, Flowering Willow. Chilopsis linearis. Bignoniacea.
Deciduous, height 25 ft., spread 15 ft. Ornamental. Flowers in summer are orchid-like, in clusters, purple to pink to white, shaggy bark when mature. Native to the southwest. Drought tolerant when established. Leaves and bark used to make skin ointments for fungal infections. Native Americans used the stems and twigs in basket making.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Feathery Cassia. Cassia artemisioides. Leguminosae.
Evergreen, height 6 ft., gray-green needle-like foliage, sulfur-yellow flowers in clusters bloom in late winter, early spring, followed by 3' seed pods. Native to Australia. Drought resistant. Bean pods are the source for Senna, laxative.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Fringe Tree, Old Man's Beard. Chionanthus virginicus. Oleaceae.
Deciduous, height 30 ft. Native to eastern U.S. Fragrant clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by fruits bluish like small olives. The bark of the root is used. Contains a lignin glycoside and saponins. It is a specific for the gall-bladder and the liver, and also the pancreas. Its actions are hepatic, cholagogue, alterative, diuretic, tonic, laxative and anti-bilious. Valuable in jaundice and gall-stones. Will reduce gall-bladder inflammation and pain, especially combined with Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) and Barberry (Berberis vulgaris). American Indians used it to wash sores, cuts and infections. The root bark is used as a liver tonic and treats gallbladder congestion, and migraine headaches.
Watering needs: Daily if possible. Heavy user of water, needs a little all the time.
Gingko, Maidenhair Tree. Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgoaceae.
Deciduous, height55-75 ft., spread 20-30 ft. Native to Northern China.The oldest tree known to mankind that has remained practically identical since it developed about 150 millions of years ago. It can grow over 100 m. tall, and live for 1000 years. It has male and female flowers on separate trees, leaves are fan-shaped, with two lobes. Leaves are taken from the tree in the fall, just as they turn yellow. They are dried in the sun. Cultivation requires full sun, can bear cold and dry conditions. Prefers deep, rich, sandy soil, but will survive almost anywhere. Can be grown from seeds and cuttings. The Chinese planted it around their temples. The main use today is for circulation to the brain. It is used for Alzheimer's to slow progression of disease, and also to improve mental function: memory, concentration, clarity. Also for eye disorders: reduced retinal blood flow, macular degeneration. Also vascular conditions such as vertigo, tinnitus, neurological disorders, for the prevention and complications of strokes. Use caution when employing Ginkgo with medicinal drugs. Promotes good circulation in the capillaries for better memory and heart function, lung and kidney function. Helps to dry out wet lung conditions. It is commonly found in TCM formulas for treating arteriosclerosis, agina
pectoris, high cholesterol, dysentery. The toasted seeds are sometimes served as nuts at weddings in China.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Globe Willow. Salix matsudana. Salicaceae.
Deciduous, height 70 ft., and as wide. N. Asia. Flowers are catkins. The leaves and bark yield salicylic acid and are used in the reduction of inflammations of joints and for headaches, fever, neuralgia and hay fever. Most willow species are rich in salicilic acid and treat pain, inflammation and fever.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Happy Tree. Camptotheca acuminate. Nyssaceae.
Deciduous, height 70 ft. Ornamental. Native to China and Tibet. Leaves elliptic and alternately spaced. Has natural alkaloid called camptothecin which is under research as anti-tumoral for cancer treatment. Used in China to treat leukemia and cancers of the stomach and liver. Folklore and tradition say that a tea of the leaves will make a person content, calm and unagressive.
Watering needs:Moderate, once a week.
Hawthorne. Crataegus oxyacantha. Rosaceae.
Common western species is C. douglasii. The berries are used, collected in the early fall. Also flowers and leaves (flavonoids). Constituents are saponins, glycosides, flavonoids: proanthocyanidins, give red and blue color, phenolic acids and tannin. One of the best cardiac and circulation tonics. Normalizes the heart (stimulating or depressing action according to need). Used for heart failure, palpitations, high or low blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, angina. Also good for insomnia. Berries are decocted for sore throats. Native Americans used it for rheumatism (used thorns like acupuncture needles, and let them burn like moxa). Heart tonic, regulates and improves heartbeat function.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Holly-Leaf Cherry, Catalina Cherry. Prunus ilicifolia. Rosaceae.
A local shrub, found on dry slopes (200-1500 m) from Baja to Napa County. Here in Oak Grove, Hot Springs Mntn, Poway grade, Campo, Potrero, Jamul, Apr-May. Cahuillas used it by crushing kernel, leaching it and boiling it as a soup. Thin sweet pulp of fruit. Simmer and add lemon and sugar to make a sauce. Leached nut may be substituted for acorn. Glossy leaves used for Christmas decorations. Bark is used to make a cough suppressant.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Hollywood Juniper. Juniperus oxycedrus. J. media. Cupressaceae.
Gives oil of Cade for parasites. Berries make a tea for urinary tract infections, root/bark tea is used for reproductive/menstrual stagnation.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Honey Locust, N. Am. Locust. Robinia ambigua. Leguminosae.
Ornamental. Bark and roots have been used as a drastic purgative - very strong and toxic if used in wrong dose.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Honey Mesquite. Prosopis julifera. Leguminosae.
Deciduous, height 15-20 ft. Native to the San Joaquin Valley and desert. Grows in desert areas of the U.S. Long yellow flower and long curved pods. They do not split open to cast seeds, but are eaten by animals and excreted. Leaves, flowers, pods, bark are used. Also resin. Is astringent, antimicrobial. As a desinfectant wash, make a strong decoction. Use in diarrhea, GI tract inflammation, ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids. Also amoebic dysentery, food poisoning. For eyewash, tea of pods. Used for conjunctivitis, also for bruises. Mucilage used for laryngitis, sore throat, stomach inflammation. Pods make a good molasses by simmering for 12 hours. Beans are a high protein and starch food source. Sap, leaves and bark used for astringent and antimicrobial for skin.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
Lemonade Berry, Coast Sumac. Rhus integrifolia. Anacardiaceae.
Evergreen, height 3-0ft., flat leathery aromatic leaves, small pink flowers in winter and flattened, reddish fruit spring through fall. Native to California. One of the many sumacs. Indian people used berries soaked in water for a drink tasting like lemonade. The Cahuillas used the leaves as a tea for coughs and colds. Berries can make a sour drink or applied to canker sores on the lips to heal the herpes lesion. Leaves make a tea to treat cough.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
Lombardy Poplar. Populus nigra. Salicaceae.
Deciduous, height 40-100ft., columnar growth habit, bright, green triangular leaves turn golden yellow in fall. Flower in catkins along wet sites. There are many species of Populus, called poplars or cottonwoods. All have the same active compounds, including salicylates, flavonoids, phenolic resins, prostaglandins. P. nigra has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic action. Leaves and bud and inner bark contain salicylic acid that is a pain reliever, fever reducer and expectorant.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month
Moreton Bay Chestnut. Castanospermum australe. Leguminosae.
Evergreen, height 50-60 ft. tall and nearly as wide. Native to Australia. Glossy leaves and rough bark. In spring masses of yellow, orange and red flowers are followed by long pods. Australian aborigine used it as a food source. The seeds are currently under research for HIV treatment potential.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Olive. Olea europaea. Oleaceae.
Evergreen, height 25-30 ft., willow-like, gray-green foliage, gnarled trunk. Thrives in full sun in hot dry climates. Very high esteem in ancient and modern world. Main culinary oil in Mediterranean countries. Green fruit picked early, becomes dark when ripe. Contains many mineral salts: phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chlorine, iron, copper, manganese, carotene, vit A, B, C, E, F. Olive: 224 calories/100g. Olive oil: 900 calories/100 g. Nutritive, cholagogue, liver and bile (calculi). For gall-stones, take 1-2 tbsp oil in the morning (add lemon juice). Oil is laxative. Used in enemas. For abscesses & boils, ripe olives are mashed and applied as a poultice. Rickets (rub oil on child's body). Pyorrhea (massage oil on gums). Rheumatism, sprained ankle: grate a head of clove into 200g oil - let it soak 2-3 days. Oil rubbed in for hair loss; for chapped hands use with glycerine. Olive leaf now popular as a hypotensive, diuretic, antidiabetic.
Fruit is pressed oil, leaves used as tea to combat high blood pressure, fever.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month
Pau d'arco, Lapacho. Tabebuia impetiginosa. Bignoniaceae.
Deciduous (briefly), height 25-30 ft. From Peru and Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay. Red or violet flowers, trumpet shaped, 2-4" long, blooming in late winter. The inner bark is used. Contains naphthoquinones and anthraquinones, lapachenol, flavonoids, resin, tannina, minerals. Is astringent and bitter. Promotes detoxification. Removes damp heat in the intestinal and urinary tract. Good for bacterial and viral infections such as enteritis and cystitis. Also anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal. Analgesic and antitumoral: used for skin eruptions, tumors, cancer in larger doses. Restorative to the veins, heals chronic ulcers. Relieves coughing and wheezing.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Pecan. Carya illinoinensis. Juglandaceae.
Deciduous, height 70 ft., and as wide. Inconspicuous flowers in spring and nuts in late summer and fall. Native to south central United States and northeastern Mexico. The hulls of the uts are used to make dyes of brown and gray. Nuts are a food source. Bark can be used as a laxative for constipation or made into a salve for skin rashes.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Pomegranate. Punica granatum. Puniceraceae.
Deciduous (briefly), height 10-25 ft. Native to southern Asia. Bright red flowers. Beautiful fruit develops in late summer, symbol of fertility, and wonderful juice. Bark or root and young branches also used. Bark contains tannic acid used to treat leather. Fruit is astringent. Use strong decoction of rind (or bark) for toenia, ascaris, worms. Used in dysentery, diarrhea, combined with opium in India. Flowers for leucorrhea. Fruit is eaten, bark and rind make an astringent tea to control diarrhea, parasites and viral infections.
Watering needs: Once established, minimal, two times a month
Princess Tree. Paulownia tomentosa. Scrophulariaceae.
Ornamental. Leaf tea has been used as hair tonic, to treat fevers, for liver ailments and to remove warts.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month.
Privet, Glossy Privet. Ligustrum lucidum. Oleaceae.
From China, Korea. Berries are used as a rejuvenating tonic for the adrenals.
Watering needs: Moderate, once a week.
Silk Tree. Albizia julibrissin. Leguminosae.
Deciduous, height 10-15 ft., canopy 20 ft. wide. Ornamental. Pink flowers, pinnate leaves are light sensitive and fold in at night. Papery seed pods. Native to Asia from Iran to Japan. Flowers make a nervine tea, bark is used for astringent and analgesic. The bark is also an appetite stimulant.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month
Southern Magnolia, Bull-Bay. Magnolia grandiflora. Magnoliaceae.
Evergreen, height 90 ft. This is the largest evergreen magnolia. Mostly on the east coast, and inland to Texas. Beautiful evergreen with big, fragrant white flowers, aging to buff. Bloom in summer and fall. American Indians used the bark to treat itching and sores. Also in malaria and rheumatism. The fruits were used for dyspepsia, and the seeds in Mexico for muscle spasms. The recognized officinal species are Magnolia acuminata and M. virginiana. Bark is harvested when the tree is 20-30 years old and used for it's stimulant and tonic properties.
NOTE: Not in garden area, is across the street near shuffle board courts.
Sweet Gum, Storax. Liquidamber styraciflua. Hamamelidaceae.
Deciduous, height 60 ft., 25 ft. spread. Leaves palmately lobed and 5-6" wide, turning purple, yellow or red in fall, furrowed bark. Native to eastern U.S., this is the Mexican and American variety, compare Liquidambar orientalis, from Asia, and L. officinale, from Europe. It contains esters from cinnamic acid. A balsam is pressed from the wood and inner bark. When the wood is injured, oil ducts are formed in which the storax is produced. It is semi-liquid and opaque, much like honey. Has an aromatic taste and fragrance, used in perfumery. Medicinally, has the same action as balsam of Peru and benzoin: stimulating expectorant and antiseptic. A syrup of the bark is used for diarrhea and dysentery in the Western states. Used for lung problems, gonorrhea and leucorrhea. As an ointment, is valuable for skin diseases. Is sometimes used to conceal the taste and smell of opium. Sap is source for campor oil used in ointments for sore muscles and antiseptic for cuts and scrapes.
Watering needs: Daily if possible. Heavy user of water, needs a little all the time.
Tea Tree. Melaleuca alternifolia. Myrtaceae.
Evergreen, height 15-22 ft. Papery bark, dense spikes of white flowers followed by woody capsules. Tea drunk by Captain Cook when he explored Australia (not China tea). Aborigines used leaves for wounds and illnesses. The E.O. contain pinenes and cineol that make it a powerful antiseptic, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Natural desinfectant. Effective to treat athlete's foot, yeast infections (candida), ringworms, insect bites. Good for immunity, for venous blood congestion (varicose veins, heavy legs). Stimulates immunity. Used in all nose, throat, ear infections (rhinitis, tonsilitis, pharyngitis, gingivitis, otitis) as well as bronchitis etc. Oil is extracted for use as topical antiseptic.
Watering needs: Minimal, two times a month
Tulip Tree, Yellow Poplar. Liriodendron tulipifera. Magnoliaceae.
Ornamental & timber. A tea of the bark is used for indigestion, to expel pinworms, relieve rheumatism.
Watering needs: Minimal, once a month.
White Mulberry. Morus alba. Moraceae.
Deciduous, height 20-60 ft. Tree similar to Red Mulberry, Morus rubra, but fruits are whitish. Has been naturalized from Asia, where it was used for silk worms. Is used medicinally in China: headaches, coughs, liver. Fruits are eaten for blood deficiency and diabetes. Tea of inner bark for lungs. All parts used: leaves treat colds, coughs and asthmas. Stems to lower blood pressure, root bark to treat diabetes, fruit for incontinence and constipation.
Watering needs: Daily if possible. Heavy user of water, needs a little all the time.
White Popinac. Leucaena leucocephala. Leguminoseae.
Lead tree in Mexico. Seeds are edible, bark and root can make a paste to remove hair.
Watering needs: Drought tolerant, mature trees do not require watering.
References:
Medicinal and Ornamental Trees in Balboa Park Garden, by, Edith Jonsson, 2006
Trees For Health Garden Information Basics and Watering Needs, 2006
Trees For Health Garden Original Brochure, 1998
Compiled by; www.FollowingSeasons.com
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