[Arid_gardener] Trees for lawn area

[Cathy.Rymer at chandleraz.gov]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your question. 

Trees moderate our climate, improve air quality, provide wildlife habitat, 
and even create microclimates that allow other plants, animals and humans 
to flourish in our harsh desert environment. Fortunately, there are many 
trees that thrive in our alkaline soils and challenging climate.  Not all 
are the best choices to grow in a lawn.  A few that will work are 
Mesquite, Sweet Acacia, Desert Willow, Shoestring Acacia, Sissoo, Live 
Oak, Evergreen Elm and Chinese Pistache. 

Turf areas will create maintenance challenges due to the competing 
physical needs of turf vs. trees.  Trees struggle to tolerate the shallow 
frequent watering necessary to keep turf attractive.  Lawns are 
periodically aerated, dethatched or verticut.  This damages the tiny 
feeder roots of trees that grow in the top layer of soil.  It is these 
feeder roots that absorb most of the nutrients and damaging them can have 
an impact on the tree.  Also, as trees mature they generate shade that 
inhibits the growth of the turf. 

Since you live in Chandler, why not request copy of Landscape Plants for 
the Arizona Desert?  It has over 200 low water use plants that thrive here 
(including more than 40 trees), complete with full color photos and 
descriptions.  Just visit the City of Chandler water conservation web page 
at www.chandleraz.gov/water.  You'll also find helpful information on 
watering your landscape.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Cathy Rymer
Water Conservation Coordinator
Certified Arborist, CLIA
Master Gardener
City of Chandler
(480) 782-3589
www.chandleraz.gov/water

>>>>>>
85226
Peter.Baldry at gdc4s.com

Please recommend fairly fast-growing shade trees appropriate for lawns. 
Does not have to provide dense shade.  Thanks.

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