One of the best strawberry trees (Arbutus 'Marina') that I have seen in the City - at 1140 Vallejo on Russian Hill. Surprising to find a large tree in such a dense neighborhood where views often result in trees getting whacked.
Arbutus 'Marina' - 1140 Vallejo Street
Coast banksia -285 10th Avenue
This coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia) is one of two at 285 10th Avenue/Clement in the Richmond, and the largest that I know of in the city. This tree from the protea family is an Australian native, and is *way* too rare in San Francisco. It has spectacular protea-like pale yellow flowers, and seems to thrive in our climate. They're very hard to find, but I think the folks at Flora Grubb sourced these two, so if you're interested in buying one, you could try checking in there. (And if anyone finds a good source for these trees, please let me know.)
Coast banksia - closeup of flowers
Not a great way to prune a palm tree :-( Saw these palms (I think queen palms, or Syagrus romanzoffiana) on Pond Street in the Castro. Owner no doubt wanted to keep them under the wires, but by removing the terminal bud, it probably means these trees are history. Too bad, because palms are so easy to transplant (and mature ones are valuable).
Queen palms on Pond Street
Don't know why I never noticed this grouping of Metrosideros excelsa in the lawn of the Main Post at the Presidio. Decided to use this photo for the NZ Christmas Tree photo in the 2nd Edition of Trees of San Francisco.
There are other great trees nearby - the Centennial Tree (blue gum eucalyptus that was planted on the nation's centennial in 1876); also some of the city's best giant dracaenas (Cordyline australis).