In a desert garden, do some homework before choosing a tree.
Trees are essential to any garden. They add structure to the garden, clean the atmosphere, cool the environment in summer, shelter other plants from desiccating winds, provide cover, homes and food for wildlife, and help our gardens become restful and peaceful places.
In the desert, though, not just any tree will do. Unfortunately, many desert gardens have trees that are not adapted to the desert. Those trees that are adapted to barren and alkaline desert soils, hardy enough to withstand drought, wide temperature variations and strong winds are the ones that should be used.
A tree adapted to desert climates is important. But it should also meet your needs. So how do you choose?
How to choose the right tree. First, decide what do you want the tree to do?
- Provide shade?
- Have a showy display of flowers in the spring? Brilliant fall colors?
- Fruit?
- Do you want it to attract and provide shelter for wildlife?
Size
- How big do you want the tree to get?
- How fast do you want it to get there?
Remember that fast-growing trees usually don’t live very long. Also remember that fast-growing trees may (and usually do) have weak wood and are more susceptible to insects and diseases.
Location, location, location
- Where in your garden or landscape do you want the tree? Take into consideration the size of the mature tree.
- How tall will it get?
- What about the spread of the mature tree? Think about things like overhead and ground structures (and potential dangers) like eaves, power lines, walls, driveways and anything else that may make the location undesirable.
Think about roots too.
An established tree will send out roots far beyond the trees drip line. The drip line is the area directly beneath the end of the tree’s branches. Roots can ft sidewalks, clog drainage and sewer lines and cause structural damage.
Make one of two decisions:
- Match the tree to the site or
- Match the site to the tree.
Don’t pick a tree and just plant it anywhere. And don’t pick a site and plant just any tree there.
Trees planted in the desert should be adapted to the desert. Take into account drainage, layers of caliche, pH, salinity and other factors. If you know what type of soil you have, it will be a lot easier to choose the right tree. So have your soil tested.
Plant the right tree for the right cold-hardiness zone. Check the USDA cold-hardiness zone map.
Choosing the right tree (or trees) can provide many years of beauty in your garden, and add considerably to the value of your property.
For more information on desert trees, see:
