Palm Trees for desert landscaping
The first palm landscape tree is the Mediterranean Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis, which can get 20 feet in height and width.
The next is the Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis, which can get 50 feet in height, and 20 feet in width.
The Queen Palm, which is sold in Havasu, and often used as a popular landscape tree, can be very beautiful when thriving, yet I’ve seen more Queen Palms die in Havasu, than thrive. They can grow to 50 feet in height, occupying a 30 feet circumference. Before planting, be aware that they are not the heartiest palm of our landscape trees.
Landscape Trees for the Desert
Landscaping trees for the desert,
Lake Havasu and Arizona
Just because you live in the Arizona desert, doesn’t mean you can’t add
trees to your landscaping. There are a variety of landscape trees
that will fit into your Havasu yard. We have included a list of
landscape trees suitable for the desert landscape, including photographs.
This is not a
complete list of landscape trees for the desert, yet it will give you a
good start. It is advisable to have a water drip system in place to
irrigate all of your landscape trees and plants. Hand watering will
not produce satisfactory results. Desert trees often take
about a year to get established in their new location.
The first
landscape tree on our list is the African Sumac, or Rhus lancea,
which will grow to about 25 feet tall, and will occupy a circumference
of about 15 to 25 feet. Once the tree is established it will require low
water usage. It can stand full sun exposure, and will handle cold
temperatures of 12 degrees F or above. If planting more than one African
Sumac, space at least 15 feet between trees. Dig the hole to be twice
the size of the container of the tree, then loosen the soil at the
bottom of the hole. Set the top of the root ball 2 inches above
ground level. Combine soil conditioner and the original soil around the
root ball to the ground level, then mulch around base and water
immediately.
Another
landscape tree that can handle the full sun is the Bottle Tree,
Brachychiton populneus, which will require low water usage once it
has been established. This desert adaptable tree will grow to 30 to 50
feet, and should be spaced 20 to 30 feet apart. It can handle cold
weather down to 20 degrees F. (Planting instructions for this, and many
of the other landscape trees are similar to the African Sumac.)
The next
landscape tree is the Australian Willow, Geijera parviflora,
which will do well in full sun to partial shade. This tree will grow to
25 to 30 feet tall, occupying a circumference of about 20 feet. If
planting more than one, space at least 20 feet apart. It can
handle cold temperatures down to 10 degrees F. It takes moderate water
usage, and will not require fertilizer once it has been established. It
is an evergreen, that will produce tiny white flowers during the spring
and fall.
Another full sun to partial shade tree is the Table Top Blue Juniper,
which some may consider more bush than tree. It will grow up to 8 feet
tall and will occupy a 16 foot circumference. Once it has been
established it will require low water usage, and it can withstand cold
weather down to -10 degrees F. When planting multiple Junipers, space 8
to 16 feet apart.
Another desert landscape tree is the Thornless Palo Verde, Cercidium
hybrid “Desert Museum”, which also likes the full sun. It will grow
to a 20 feet height, and requires moderate watering. The Palo
Verde will withstand temperatures down to 15 degrees F.
Next on our list of landscape trees for our desert is the Silver Dollar
Gum, Eucalyptus polyanthemos, which handles full sun,
temperatures down to 10 degrees F, and will require low watering once
established. Space trees 35 feet apart. This tree may reach
heights of 50 feet.
Not quite as tall as the Silver Dollar Gum Tree, The Rosewood,
Dalbergia Sissoo, will grow to 20-40 feet, and does well in full
sun. As for the colder temperatures, it needs to stay above 20
degrees F, and will require moderate watering.
Similar in
ultimate height to the Silver Dollar Gum Tree, our next landscape tree,
the Jacaranda, Jacaranda mimosifolia, also does well in full
sun, yet likes the cold weather less. With this tree, temperatures
shouldn’t dip below 30 degrees F. Water moderately, and space the
trees 35 feet apart.
The Indian Laurel, Ficus microcarpa nitida, is a desert
adaptable tree that handles full sun, temperatures down to 20 degrees F,
and require low watering, once established. This landscape tree
will grow to 20-25 feet, occupying a circumference of 20-25 feet.
Another landscape tree is the Emerald Green Fig, Ficus nitida.
This tree is normally grown as a houseplant or protected patio accent.
It can grow to 25 feet, and can handle cold temperatures down to 30 or
40 degrees F. It needs to be watered regularly.
The Coolibah
landscape tree, or Eucalyptus microtheca, 
does
fine in full sun, and is drought
tolerant. It can handle cold temperatures down to 10 degrees F.
This landscape tree will grow to 40 feet tall, and will need to be
spaced 30 to 40 feet apart.
A good screen landscape tree is the Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus,
which can be planted 10 – 15 feet apart. It handles the full sun
and cold temperatures down to 0 degrees F. It will grow to about 15 feet
tall, and blooms in the late spring.
A hearty
landscape tree for the Arizona desert is the Chilean Mesquite,
Prosopis chilensis, which requires moderate watering, and will grow
to 30 feet. It can handle cold temperatures down to 10 degrees F.
Although the
Oleander is a scrub, and not a landscape tree, it should not be
overlooked when considering trees for your desert
landscaping.
Oleanders grow very well in Havasu, can get up to 8 feet, and produces a
pretty flower spring and summer. It is a very poisonous plant,
which is something to consider if you have pets or children.
For more
information on landscape trees that do well in Lake Havasu, visit one of
the Lake Havasu City nurseries.
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