Use native trees to make your garden beautiful.
If you have the privilege to live in Arizona, you get to enjoy some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. As a homeowner, you can add to this beauty through your landscaping. What better way to improve the look of your home than with the trees that grow in Arizona’s wilds? Working with a certified arborist or on your own, you can turn your yard from regular to extraordinary with just a few additions.
Native tree species
Arizona’s trees that grow below 4500 feet are hardy and beautiful. They’ve adapted to thrive in our environment, with long dry spells followed by brief heavy rainfall. Besides their natural physical attractiveness, they’re also ideal for your property because they’re easier to care for than bringing in a foreign species. The list below contains the most common varieties in the area.
Blue palo verde
You can find this species throughout the Sonoran desert, even in Mexico and California. It’s named after its green wood. This tree grows very quickly, which makes it useful for starting up a brand new garden. They can reach heights approaching 40 feet. Their bright flowers draw in bees to help cross-pollinate and strengthen all of the trees and flowers on your property. Both the flowers and the pea pods that grow on blue palo verdes are edible, so you can add a natural pop to your meals.
Cat’s claw acacia
Locals sometimes call this the “wait-a-minute tree” since it has hooked barbs that can catch on your clothing as you walk by. They can reach almost 50 feet tall and provides a fair amount of shade. This plant features curved twigs that veer off from the branches and which bear small, teardrop-shaped leaves.
Desert ironwood
The olneya tesota tree is called ironwood for a very good reason. Its wood is exceptionally strong and hard to work with. Enthusiasts prize it for making durable knife handles. The ironwood tree doesn’t grow very tall, only to a maximum of around 33 feet. It has colorful flowers that can be white, pink, purple or magenta. This is actually an evergreen tree, and its leaves only fall out in near-freezing temperatures or during severe drought conditions.
Foothills palo verde
Much smaller than its cousin, the blue palo verde, this tree generally reaches a height of about 16 feet. It’s hardy enough to hold up to desert conditions and can even live for hundreds of years. The yellow flowers are very beautiful. Like the blue version, this tree’s pods and flowers are edible.
Netleaf hackberry
Another mid-size tree, the hackberry, grows to a height of anywhere from 20 to 30 feet. It features beautiful oval leaves that have a leathery texture. This plant is exceptionally resistant to drought. As an added bonus, the berries are tasty and edible.
Desert willow
While it doesn’t droop as much as the more famous weeping willow, the desert willow features hanging leaves. It only reaches a maximum of 26 feet high, but its broad branches reach out far. This tree is ideal for providing shade to ponds. This can protect fish in a water feature from birds overhead. This versatile species can survive temperatures well below freezing. Its blossoms have a beautiful two-tone purple-and-white coloration.
Care For Your Native Arizona Trees With Professional Services From Our Certified Arborists Tree Diagnosis and Treatment, Support and Maintenance, Planting and Fertilization, Trimming and Pruning.
Screwbean mesquite
Generally only found along a few streams in Arizona, the screwbean mesquite needs a decent amount of water to survive. It has several benefits if you cultivate it, though. The wood is very beautiful and also makes chips that are ideal for making barbecued meat. The screwbeans that this tree produces are very delicious and nutritious, and you can use them in a number of different recipes.
Velvet mesquite
Especially prized here in Arizona, the velvet mesquite tree requires very little upkeep and watering. If you do choose to water it generously, this plant can reach heights of up to 50 feet. Like its screwbean cousin, you can use the wood as a flavoring for meat smokers. Various parts of the tree are also used in different folk remedies.
Whitethorn acacia
relatively short, the whitethorn acacia usually only grows up to 6 feet tall. Although it’s a flowering plant, this shrub doesn’t attract pollinating insects. The most common use for the shrub is to plant it as a barrier along your property. The mix of yellow and green provides a rich contrast and a vibrant look in your backyard.
Getting professional help
It’s commendable if you want to make a garden that highlights the natural beauty of our state. These gardens also contribute to the local ecology since they keep from introducing non-native plants. If you want your garden to really thrive, seeking out the assistance of a professional is key.
Do you know how to best water and care for each species? What about where to plant them so that they receive the most nutrients and don’t have to compete with other plants? Here at PV Trimmers, we’re experienced in planting and setting up gardens that use local species. Our experts have years of experience on the job, which translates into beautiful results on your property.
The best part is that once your garden is set up, you can also engage us as a complete arborist service in Phoenix. Do you want to save time from watering? We can help with that. From feeding to trimming the branches for optimal water and nutrient distribution, we’ve got you covered.
How to get set up right away
All you have to do is give us a call or even just fill out the contact form on this site. Give us a few details, and we’ll set up a face-to-face free consultation. There you can tell us exactly what you want to see, and we’ll come up with a solution that works for you. Our designers and field team can work at any scale, from small residential to large commercial properties. Best of all, we can work within the scope of a range of different budget options. Don’t go another day without your dream garden; get PV Trimmers on the job today.