Arid Zone Trees

Foliage: Semi-Evergreen

Mature Height: 20’ - 30’

Mature Width: 20’ - 40’

Growth Rate: Fast

Hardiness: 15 degrees F

Exposure: Full Sun

Leaf Color: Green

Shade: Filtered

Flower Color: Yellow

Flower Shape: Funnel Shaped Petals

Flower Season: Spring

Thorns: None

Propagation Method: Cutting

Sizes Available: 24”, 36”, 48"

In the 1970's Mark Dimmitt with the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) observed Blue Palo Verdes that exhibited characteristics suggesting they were hybrids of other Palo Verde species. By 1981 he had identified a thornless seedling hybrid that was clearly superior to the others collected and he named it 'Desert Museum.' It is a complex hybrid having genetic characteristics from Mexican, Blue and Foothill Palo Verde. 'Desert Museum' gets vigorous growth, sturdy, upright branches and bright yellow flowers from Parkinsonia aculeata, and small delicate leaves and dark green bark from the Cercidium species. Its most remarkable feature is the absence of thorns. Flowering begins as early as mid-March in southern Arizona with intense, full bloom lasting into late spring, early summer and into late fall. The v-shaped branching, thornless growth and ample shade make 'Desert Museum' a pedestrian friendly, tree that can be used in almost any landscape applications.

Variety 'AZT': Arid Zone Trees began its research on cloning desert trees with two principles in mind. First, that there is no one single selection of any desert tree specie that is best adapted to all landscape applications. And second, that all trees developed and marketed by AZT must possess both desirable physical and horticultural characteristics.

Several years ago Arid Zone Trees (AZT) began vegetatively propagating (cloning) some of our most popular desert adapted tree species. This process involved: 1) identifying trees that had both desirable physical qualities (branching habits, leaf color, leaf canopy, and flower color) and sound horticultural characteristics (rooting, cold hardiness and growth rate); 2) developing propagation techniques that allowed the large scale vegetative propagation of the selected trees; and 3) growing these selections to market sizes for additional nursery evaluation and field testing in landscape setting. This tree is the product of our research and evaluation. We have identified each of our clone species with the variety designation ‘AZT’. We believe this is the best and most direct means for our clients to specify the trees they want and insure that they receive the trees they specify.