I hate the sweetgum tree. Those balls are the most annoying things ever. Pretty tree, but the Western Sycamore is better and native. Ideally there is a balance

I hate the sweetgum tree. Those balls are the most annoying things ever. Pretty tree, but the Western Sycamore is better and native. Ideally there is a balance between native trees and plants that help cool the environment for one's lawn. One particularly amazing native California tree/shrub is the Manzanita which branches have an extremely cool-to-the-touch feel. They truly cool the air around it and the birds and small animals love it in the summer. Many California native plants have these amazing properties that promote a wonderfully diverse ecosystem.