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Foliage: Deciduous
Mature Height:
12’ - 20’
Mature Width:
12’ - 25’
Growth Rate:
Slow
Hardiness: 15
degrees F
Exposure: Full Sun
Leaf Color:
Green
Shade: Filtered
Flower Color:
Pale to Bright Yellow
Flower Shape:
Funnel Shaped Petals
Flower Season:
Spring
Thorns:
Yes
Propagation Method:
Seed
Sizes Available:
24”, 36”
Printable copy click
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FOOTHILL PALO VERDE:
Foothill Palo Verde is
the smallest of the Palo
Verdes, typically
maturing to 12' to 20'
tall and 12' to 20'
wide. It is native to
the American southwest,
Baja and Sonora, Mexico
at elevations from 500
to 4000'. It grows on
rocky slopes, desert
foothills and mesas.
Leaves are yellow green
and very small (the
Latin species name
microphyllum means tiny
leave). Half inch pale
to bright yellow blooms
appear beginning in
April or May. Flowers
usually last until the
onset of 100 degree
temperatures.
Established trees in the
landscape can survive on
seasonal rainfall. The
trees are hardy to 15 to
17 degrees but like
Ironwoods will not
tolerate excessive
irrigation. All
branches, mature and
immature, end in a
sharp, rigid spine.
These spines limit the
use of Foothills around
walkways and play areas.
Leaves are widely
distributed along these
branches giving the leaf
canopy a pale green,
transparent quality.
Drought or severe cold
will cause leaf drop.
Trees will need some
pruning to shape the
canopy and accentuate
the trunk structure.
Most specimens are
multiple trunked. Some
single trunked trees are
produced in the nursery.
The curved, gnarled
trunks give Foothill
Palo Verde a sculptural
quality. They are often
used at entry monuments,
as focal point single
specimens. They can also
be used as transition
trees back to native
desert, as perimeter
plantings or as a
component of a mixed
desert planting. While
trees can survive on
rainfall, monthly
irrigations make for a
more lush appearance.
Again, as with
Ironwoods, Foothills
will not tolerate over
irrigation.
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.
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