For additional trees, Hartin recommends the following useful websites with searchable plant-selection engines to help you choose a tree by different criteria (size, water needs, flower color, pest susceptibility).

Source: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/story/2023-04-08/garden-mastery-the-right-tree-in-the-right-place-can-last-generations

Hartin said the best alternative to any artificial surfaces are living plants.

Source: https://www.pressenterprise.com/2023/10/18/once-hailed-as-a-drought-fix-california-moves-to-restrict-synthetic-turf-over-health-concerns/

Less than half of the trees planted in urban settings live to be 20 or 30 years old because of poor tree selection and care, Hartin said.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-13/beverly-hills-is-cutting-down-its-ficus-trees