[Arid_gardener] sisso trees

[Susan Reede]

Hi Mary

 

I live in Surprise as well, and had a six year experience with the Sisso
monster while living in Phoenix. Your message was posted some time ago but
just want to check in with experience. If you have already planted one I
would recommend that you have it removed before it becomes a $600 project.

 

They were introduced to the area at one point because they satisfied the
need for fast growers and have few other merits in my opinion. There were
five of them in our small back yard in Phoenix along with a big elm and they
got wild branches while shooting up to a height of twenty or more feet.
There is one remaining and it dominates the entire yard. You can plan on
spending a few hundred a year to keep it trimmed.

 

It is a triple threat when it comes to debris at different times of the
year. It is an evergreen yet drops tons of leaves as it gets new ones and
then there are seed pods that drop and during another cycle the twigs that
held them on. This tree is bad news in sucking out the water and lawn
nutrients if you have plantings. Maybe on a five acre property it would be
ok but otherwise save yourself some big trouble and put in a Palo Brea or
some other draught resistant tree. The state water board will send you a
color booklet if you call 602-248-8482. Or drop in at Moon Valley Nursery
just east of Dysart & Bell on Greasewood and talk to Thom Mealer. He knows
them all.

 


Bill

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