Purple flowered trees (San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco: neighborhoods, maintenance, yard)

[jcs1956]

Some time ago I saw pictures of a area in San Diego that was lined with beautiful purple trees,can someone tell me where this area is,I would love to go and see these tree's in person.Thanks in advance.

[kettlepot]

Those beautiful purple flowered trees are Jacarandas.

Hard to say where the particular area you are commenting on is, jacarandas are very common in the city. The area might be in Hillcrest along 4th and 5th Avenues. Or one of another dozen places in the city.

[jksouthbay88]

They stain sidewalks,cars,and other things

[Encinitan]

Messiest trees ever, but beautiful, yes.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by jksouthbay88

They stain sidewalks,cars,and other things

Yeah, they're gorgeous, but lord knows you don't want to park your car under one.

[sdjimbob]

Yes, very messy trees. First it's the bloom (May-July) mess. Then in about October, the millions of tiny leaves drop (they're murder to sweep up). Finally, a month or two later, the long leaf stems drop.

There's a lot in downtown (Cortez Hill especially around Discovery)

[tstieber]

I love them! You see them a lot around the older neighborhoods in particular, and around Little Italy. Also very common in L.A., Phoenix, and San Jose, although they're getting more popular in San Francisco too. Classic California street tree.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Jacarandas are really cool trees indeed.
They all over my neighborhood and over the past week or two they really started blooming. I was wondering what they were? Thanks kettlepot

I also didnt know about the stains they cause. Good to know.

[kettlepot]

I have a Jacaranda in my yard. Since it's in my yard I don't clean up the blossoms, the leaves, or the stems. I just let nature return them to the soil. So, for me, it requires ZERO maintenance. It's a great yard tree.

[jcs1956]

Thank you everyone.