Palm Trees
for Desert Landscaping

        Although they aren’t much for shade, palm trees are an especially popular  landscaping tree for Havasu, the desert and Arizona in general.  There are a variety of landscape palm trees, and all listed here do well in full sun, handle cold temperatures 30 degrees F or warmer, and require medium water usage.

Mediterranean
Fan Palm


            The first palm landscape tree is the Mediterranean Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis,  which can get 20 feet in height and width.


Canary Island
Date Palm
            The next is the Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis, which can get 50 feet in height, and 20 feet in width.
 

Queen Palm
            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.

For more information on landscape trees that do well in Lake Havasu, visit one of the Lake Havasu City nurseries.

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.

African Sumac

            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.

Bottle Tree

               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.)

Australian Willow

            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.

Table Top Blue Juniper          

               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.
         

Thornless Palo Vedre

             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.

Silver Dollar