Native Mesquite
is one of the most
common trees found in
the desert Southwest.
These trees are
distributed throughout
Central and Southern
Arizona, West Coast of
Mexico and the
West Indies.
In the wild it grows
along stream beds, in
washes, on slopes and
mesas where deep soils
are found and on plains.
Some Native mesquites
are distinguished from
the other species
discussed by the short
dense hairs that cover
nearly the entire plant
including the seed pods.
This fuzzy appearance
has led some to call
this species Velvet
mesquite. In the
landscape, trees grow
best in well draining
soils. Maturing trees
can be naturalized to
survive on rainfall
alone but look more lush
with deep, monthly
summer irrigations. In
the landscape trees grow
at a moderate rate and
can reach a height of
40' and spread 20 to 40'
with trunk diameters of
up to 3 feet in
diameter. Mature
specimens have dark,
shaggy bark. Feathery,
soft, gray-green foliage
provides filtered shade
in summer. Native
mesquites tolerate lawn
planting but shade from
mature trees may inhibit
growth of summer lawns.
In nature the trees
typically grow as
multiple trunk
specimens but cultivated
trees can be pruned into
single or multi-trunk
forms. Cream colored,
cylindrical flowers
appear by mid-spring and
tan seed pods are shed
in fall. In informal
desert designs, Native
mesquites can be used as
a theme tree, as
individual specimen at
entry monuments, around
golf course tee boxes or
as the center piece of
desert scenes. This
beautiful Native brings
a feeling of the
Sonoran Desert into any
landscape design.
Cultural Practices:
Wind
damage and uprooting are the
products of poor pruning and
staking practices and improper
irrigation and should not be
considered as inherent,
unavoidable horticultural
shortcomings of Prosopis
hybrids. 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. Frequent
watering is needed to promote
good terminal growth on newly
planted trees.
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.
Pruning to remove
about 20% of the canopy during
the growing season helps promote
root development that is
proportional to the shoot growth
of young trees. Removing more
than 20% of the canopy can
inhibit rooting, lead to sunburn
injuries that can later be
invaded by wood boring insects,
and encourage undesired
re-growth made up of dense
flushes of branches and leaves.
Selective pruning should be used
to promote the development of a
symmetrical canopy with well
spaced branches. Avoid hedging
or heading back desert
species, as this will
only stimulate excessive
branching.
Use tree stakes
only when absolutely necessary
and then only briefly. Select
low-breaking, upright trees as
they occupy no more space than a
single-trunk specimen yet retain
the natural wind resistance of
trees found growing native in
desert settings.
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.
