Palo Verde Tree Care - Tips For Growing A Palo Verde Tree

Even though palo verde trees are drought resistant, they need water to get established. The tree will grow more quickly and look healthier with occasional water. These trees grow well in most soils, even poor types. However, soil must drain well, as the tree does not tolerate wet roots.

How do I care for a palo verde tree?

Palo verdes thrive in the high summer temperatures, but vary in their cold-hardiness. They prefer full sun, good drainage, and an occasional deep soak during their summer growing season and tend to sunburn if pruned during the summer. These are multi-trunked and pruning should be done only to enhance the natural form.

How often should you water a palo verde tree?

After a year, a desert tree can live with watering once every 2 to 4 weeks. If the tree seems to be growing slowly, you can increase the water frequency to no more than once per week. A lush baby Palo Verde tree with a 2 foot basin.

When should palo verde trees be pruned?

Most desert species should be pruned during the spring or fall. Spring or early summer pruning of mesquite and other vigorous desert trees can prevent damage during the summer monsoon storms. Palo verdes are more sun-sensitive, so avoid summer pruning and, as a rule, reduce their pruning dosage.

Are palo verde trees fast growing?

There are three commonly available species of the genus Cercidium that are all referred to as Palo Verde trees and all are deciduous, have small leaflets, yellow flowers, and greenish bark. ... Palo Verde is considered to be a fast-growing tree, and its mature height is usually 20-30 feet.

Do palo verde trees have deep roots?

Palo verde is a relatively small tree that reaches a height of approximately 32 feet and a trunk diameter of 1.5 - 2 feet. This tree has a deep root system which allows it to tap into the ground water and survive periods of extended drought and withstand severe flash floods (which occur often in desert washes).

Are palo verde trees messy?

A big-boxed palo verde is the ideal solution to lack of shade or too much glare. ... Many of the other seedling-grown palo verde species can be long and lanky, spiny, particularly messy, but amazingly drought-resistant.

Why is my palo verde tree dying?

Overwatering or Poor Drainage. ... Planting in a place with poor drainage or overuse of water-retaining mediums such as compost can cause the palo verde to suffer from too much water. Similarly, overuse of compost or mulch around the base of the tree and turf planting can cause rot.

Are palo verde trees poisonous to dogs?

Toxicity. According to the Arizona State University College of Pharmacy, palo verde is safe and nontoxic for people and animals and suitable for growing in the home garden.

Do palo verde trees need fertilizer?

Fertilizer isn't often necessary for Palo Verde trees but will support healthy growth. Try giving your young Palo Verde tree fertilizer high in phosphorus. This will help the roots develop and grow. Once the tree is grown and established, you can stop fertilizing it altogether.

How do you shape a palo verde tree?

Cut off low-hanging branches that droop downward and impede passing traffic. Remove branches growing lower than 5 to 6 feet off the ground if the palo verde tree is growing along a footpath, driveway or street.

How long does a palo verde tree live?

The palo verde is doing well in its range. These trees can live to be more than 100 years old, possibly as old as 400 years. It is considered a large shrub or a small tree standing about 15 feet tall on average, occasionally reaching as tall as 30 feet.

How fast does a Desert Museum palo verde tree grow?

Tree Characteristics

Height: 15 - 20 feet. Width: 20 - 25 feet. Growth Rate: 24 to 36 Inches per Year. Leaves Bipinnately Compound, Light Green, Deciduous.

What eats palo verde trees?

Desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, jackrabbits and other rodents browse on its leaves. Javelinas like to eat the seed pods. The canopy cover reduces the temperature below the palo verde which is very important for the germination of other desert plants.

Do palo verde trees lose their leaves in winter?

Palo verde belong to a small genus of leguminous trees. ... Unlike temperate deciduous trees which drop their leaves in response to the changing of the seasons, palo verde drop their leaves in response to drought. And, as one can expect from a denizen of the desert, drought is the norm.

Are there different types of palo verde trees?

There are two types of palo verde

Arizona hosts two native species, the Foothills Palo Verde and the Blue Palo Verde. ... The Blue Palo Verde (Cercidium floridum) are usually spotted next water sources, like washes, and have a blue-green trunk. Read more about the differences here.

How tall do palo verde trees get?

It can grow to 25 feet tall with a 25 foot spread. Its tiny leaves are cold and drought deciduous but, due to its blue-green color, it looks evergreen from a distance. Blue palo verde tree is naturally multi-trunked with a low hanging canopy.

Can I grow a palo verde from a cutting?

Although its seeds germinate readily, palo verde cannot be readily cultivated from cuttings: seed is essential to its propagation. Seeds of the species are hard to come by in the trade, and its availability is outshown by the popular cultivar 'Desert Museum'.

What are the worst trees to plant?

Trees known for their rather undesirable qualities, and why you should steer clear of them.

Cottonwood. One of the trees you should avoid having in your backyard is certainly cottonwood. ...
Bradford Pear. ...
Mimosa Tree. ...
Mulberry Tree. ...
Chinese Tallow. ...
Norway Maple. ...
Eucalyptus. ...
Quaking Aspen.

What kills palo verde trees?

Also known as the palo verde beetle, palo verde root borer, or palo verde borer beetle, Derobrachus hovorei is a longhorn beetle that can sometimes be confused as a cockroach. But, unlike cockroaches, this insect attacks and kills palo verde trees (among others).

Are palo verde trees protected?

Many people desire to use these "wonders of nature" in their landscaping. However, most of these plants are protected by law. ... This includes all of the cacti, most of the exotic plants (like Ocotillo), most of the trees (ironwood, palo verde, mesquite), and many of the smaller plants.