Cercidium Hybrid ‘AZT’
exhibits qualities found
in Palo Brea, Blue and
Mexican Palo Verde. The
canopy is lush green,
provides ample shade and
intricate branching
patterns. The
characteristics that set
this ‘AZT’
clone apart from seed
selections are
distinctive rich green
trunks and the
versatility to be grown
as either V-shaped
upright or candelabra
form specimens, the
absence of thorns, and a
semi-evergreen growth.
Like Palo Brea, branches
remain smooth and dark
green as they mature.
Brilliant yellow flowers
that are abundantly in
spring and
intermittently during
the summer months. 'AZT' has 4
to 6 pairs of leaves
with 15 to 24 pairs of
leaflets per leave.
These highly divided
leaves produce a canopy
that is lush yet airy
and provides filtered
shade that promotes
flowering of under-story
shrubs and groundcovers.
It can be used as an
accent tree, along
street and parking
medians, as a focal
point, single specimen
or any application that
requires a striking,
graceful, thornless
desert tree.
Variety
'AZT':
Arid
Zone Trees makes
selections from
thousands of trees
propagated from seed.
Only Individual trees
having the most
desirable physical
qualities (branching
habits, leaf color, leaf
canopy, and flower
color) and sound
horticultural
characteristics
(rooting, cold hardiness
and growth rate) are
selected for further
study. These trees
are then cloned (vegetatively
propagated) and planted
at our nursery for
evaluation. Only the best of
these trees are then
placed in cloning
production and are
designated Variety
'AZT'. Since no one
single selection of any
desert tree specie is
best adapted to all
landscape applications,
we continually search
for new additions to our
Variety 'AZT'.
Parkinsonia (Cercidium)
Hybrid 'AZT'
is propagated and
available exclusively
from Arid Zone Trees.
Cultural Practices:
Foster the development
of a more dispersed root
system and reduce the
risk of wind throw by
arranging irrigation
emitters at varying
distances from the trunk
to encourage roots to
"seek out" water and
nutrients. Irrigation
emitter arrangement
along with other
information on
irrigations practices
for desert trees can be
found at
Irrigation Practices for
Desert Trees.
Prune as needed to
reinforce the structure
and form of the tree.
Periodic thinning is the
most desirable method of
pruning. Avoid hedging
or heading back desert
species, as this will
only stimulate excessive
branching. Do not remove
more than 30% of the
canopy during the summer
as this can lead to
sunburn injuries that
can later be invaded by
wood boring insects.
Always use clean, sharp
tools that are cleaned
regularly in a 10%
solution of bleach. For
detail pruning guide see
Pruning Desert Trees.
Periodically
insect pests can be a
problem on some desert
trees. On young trees,
insect infestation can
slow typical seasonal
growth. Inspect trees
during the growing
season for common garden
sucking insects such as
aphids, thrip,
whiteflies or psyllids.
During dry months, (May
and June) in dusty
conditions, spider mites
can appear. Monitor for
infestation and apply
controls as needed.
Spray applications of
water or water and Safer
Soap give short-term
control (3 to 7 days)
for small insect
population. For heavy
infestation or longer
control use federally
registered insecticides.
A contact insecticide
application will kill
existing adults. An
application with a
systemic soil drench
will provide 8 to 12
weeks control for any
post application insect
hatchings or migration
of insects. Before using
pesticide for the first
time or on new plants or
cultivar, treat a few
plants and check for
phytotoxicty.
Always read label and
follow label instruction
before using pesticides.
For pesticide control
recommendations contact
a
licensed pest control
advisor.
