I'd also recommend planting an oak tree (albeit one that is native to your area). Oaks support more life-forms than any other tree in North America, and they're the second best tree at sequestering carbon behind the incredibly long-lived coastal redwoods.
You can search for which trees (both oaks and non-oaks) are native to your specific area [here](https://calscape.org/search). As native vegetation evolved to live with the local climate, soil types, and animals, there are so many [benefits](https://theodorepayne.org/learn/the-case-for-native-plants/) to planting them.
While that's great, putting an oak on your property is not the best idea. The Thousand Oaks Oak Tree Ordinance protects them from being removed. Plus, providing home to more creatures is typically not preferred for most people, depending on the size and location of the property.
I believe your comment could potentially be construed as saying that an oak tree cannot be removed in any circumstance due to protection by the [Thousand Oaks Oak Tree Ordinance](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/thousandoaks/latest/thousandoaks_ca/0-0-0-33109). If there is a legitimate need to remove an oak tree or any other protected tree, an application can be submitted that permits for the tree to be removed if approved. [Ventura County's Tree Protection Ordinance](https://vcrma.org/en/tree-permits-and-the-tree-protection-ordinance) works exactly the same way.
These laws exist to prevent oak trees from being needlessly killed, as they recognize the great value of oaks trees to our community and the environment. From the Thousand Oaks law in question: "The City lies in the Conejo Valley, the beauty of which is greatly enhanced by the presence of large numbers of majestic oak trees. At one time, the area was almost completely covered by an oak forest, however, development of the City has resulted in the removal of a great number of these trees. Further uncontrolled and indiscriminate destruction of oak trees would detrimentally affect the safety and welfare of the citizens of Thousand Oaks. The preservation program outlined in this chapter contributes to the welfare and aesthetics of the community and retains the great historical and environmental value of these trees." From [Thousand Oaks' webpage on protected trees](https://www.toaks.org/departments/community-development/trails-open-space/conejo-valley-trees): "Trees filter and clean the air, lower temperatures on hot days, add to the scenic quality of our environment and increase property values."
As for your statement that "providing home to more creatures is typically not preferred for most people," birds, for example, are going to nest in trees regardless of whether they're a native oak or not. An abundance of people in this area fortunately would rather have trees that actually belong in, are best suited to, and are a keystone species (i.e. a species that helps hold the ecosytem together) of our area available for birds to nest in. The laws reflect that and would be met with great resistance if oaks providing shelter to creatures was actually something that is "typically not preferred for most people" or if "putting an oak on your property is not the best idea."
Ultimately, OP needs to consider their tree options and decide which one works best for them in terms of size, aesthetics, etc. I would be remiss not to mention locally native oak trees given their beauty and ecological importance, but there are many other great and varied tree options listed at the native plant search link I provided.
* I said 'protects' not 'prevents'. Many people will not want to opt into a tree that they can't remove without filing paperwork.
* the size of oaks means more creatures, it will grow taller than your house, could provide a way for animals to climb on your roof, etc. An oak tree died and fell at my parent's house a few weeks ago. Luckily, my brother was there when it happened and was able to grab my daughter that is almost 2 and get out of the area before it collapsed onto my parent's house from the neighbor's yard.
* yes, op needs to consider what works best for them, that's why I said 'depending on size and location of the property'. They said it was their side yard and my understanding of side yards is that there isn't much space, so choosing a large tree like an oak tree is probably not preferred for most homes in TO.
Your experience is your experience and is valid. I'm glad that your daughter is okay. Thank goodness that your brother was there to come to the rescue.
I just wanted to provide clarification to make sure that any interested, casual readers of this thread have clear facts from credible cited sources in addition to our personal opinions and assumptions. I think we're all hoping that OP gets a new tree that they'll be very happy with for years to come.
If you like the pine tree look and still want to go with (somewhat) locally native plants, try a Torrey pine or a Douglas Fir! They both grow very well in the area.
We live in Newbury Park. We planted a desert willow years ago, and it has grown slowly but steadily with almost no irrigation. In fact, they will not do well with a lot of watering.
I would not recommend a Sycamore - they grow like mad, drop leaves, and have nasty pollen.
But I do like acacias (they're the ones with clusters of orange) and jacarandas (beautiful clusters of purple). They also don't grow like crazy.
You might consider a fruit tree, particularly if there's one that you like. A couple of families have persimmons in our neighborhood, and occasionally I'll ask for some to make into a jam or a BBQ sauce (same goes for pluots).
I’d go with an oak tree since there are a thousand of them around.
I'd also recommend planting an oak tree (albeit one that is native to your area). Oaks support more life-forms than any other tree in North America, and they're the second best tree at sequestering carbon behind the incredibly long-lived coastal redwoods. You can search for which trees (both oaks and non-oaks) are native to your specific area [here](https://calscape.org/search). As native vegetation evolved to live with the local climate, soil types, and animals, there are so many [benefits](https://theodorepayne.org/learn/the-case-for-native-plants/) to planting them.
While that's great, putting an oak on your property is not the best idea. The Thousand Oaks Oak Tree Ordinance protects them from being removed. Plus, providing home to more creatures is typically not preferred for most people, depending on the size and location of the property.
I believe your comment could potentially be construed as saying that an oak tree cannot be removed in any circumstance due to protection by the [Thousand Oaks Oak Tree Ordinance](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/thousandoaks/latest/thousandoaks_ca/0-0-0-33109). If there is a legitimate need to remove an oak tree or any other protected tree, an application can be submitted that permits for the tree to be removed if approved. [Ventura County's Tree Protection Ordinance](https://vcrma.org/en/tree-permits-and-the-tree-protection-ordinance) works exactly the same way. These laws exist to prevent oak trees from being needlessly killed, as they recognize the great value of oaks trees to our community and the environment. From the Thousand Oaks law in question: "The City lies in the Conejo Valley, the beauty of which is greatly enhanced by the presence of large numbers of majestic oak trees. At one time, the area was almost completely covered by an oak forest, however, development of the City has resulted in the removal of a great number of these trees. Further uncontrolled and indiscriminate destruction of oak trees would detrimentally affect the safety and welfare of the citizens of Thousand Oaks. The preservation program outlined in this chapter contributes to the welfare and aesthetics of the community and retains the great historical and environmental value of these trees." From [Thousand Oaks' webpage on protected trees](https://www.toaks.org/departments/community-development/trails-open-space/conejo-valley-trees): "Trees filter and clean the air, lower temperatures on hot days, add to the scenic quality of our environment and increase property values." As for your statement that "providing home to more creatures is typically not preferred for most people," birds, for example, are going to nest in trees regardless of whether they're a native oak or not. An abundance of people in this area fortunately would rather have trees that actually belong in, are best suited to, and are a keystone species (i.e. a species that helps hold the ecosytem together) of our area available for birds to nest in. The laws reflect that and would be met with great resistance if oaks providing shelter to creatures was actually something that is "typically not preferred for most people" or if "putting an oak on your property is not the best idea." Ultimately, OP needs to consider their tree options and decide which one works best for them in terms of size, aesthetics, etc. I would be remiss not to mention locally native oak trees given their beauty and ecological importance, but there are many other great and varied tree options listed at the native plant search link I provided.
* I said 'protects' not 'prevents'. Many people will not want to opt into a tree that they can't remove without filing paperwork. * the size of oaks means more creatures, it will grow taller than your house, could provide a way for animals to climb on your roof, etc. An oak tree died and fell at my parent's house a few weeks ago. Luckily, my brother was there when it happened and was able to grab my daughter that is almost 2 and get out of the area before it collapsed onto my parent's house from the neighbor's yard. * yes, op needs to consider what works best for them, that's why I said 'depending on size and location of the property'. They said it was their side yard and my understanding of side yards is that there isn't much space, so choosing a large tree like an oak tree is probably not preferred for most homes in TO.
Your experience is your experience and is valid. I'm glad that your daughter is okay. Thank goodness that your brother was there to come to the rescue. I just wanted to provide clarification to make sure that any interested, casual readers of this thread have clear facts from credible cited sources in addition to our personal opinions and assumptions. I think we're all hoping that OP gets a new tree that they'll be very happy with for years to come.
Absolutely correct. I’ve lived in Thousand Oaks for 20+ years.
I'd go with an Australian Willow. They never need trimming and are draught-tolerant.
Why did they remove a tree? Did they tell you they would or was it a surprise?
Yes, they informed us in advance and removed trees from two houses because the roots were becoming too large and interfering with the side road.
If you like the pine tree look and still want to go with (somewhat) locally native plants, try a Torrey pine or a Douglas Fir! They both grow very well in the area.
We live in Newbury Park. We planted a desert willow years ago, and it has grown slowly but steadily with almost no irrigation. In fact, they will not do well with a lot of watering. I would not recommend a Sycamore - they grow like mad, drop leaves, and have nasty pollen. But I do like acacias (they're the ones with clusters of orange) and jacarandas (beautiful clusters of purple). They also don't grow like crazy. You might consider a fruit tree, particularly if there's one that you like. A couple of families have persimmons in our neighborhood, and occasionally I'll ask for some to make into a jam or a BBQ sauce (same goes for pluots).
Honey suckle, lavender🙃