[Arid_gardener] Paula -- trees suitable for growing in a wash

[Genie]

Dear Paula,

Here are a few that grow well in a "wash" (in the Midwest, we called 
them a ditch) -- with the advantages
and disadvantages listed.  ALL provide shade with their dense growth, 
and minimum fuss.

Honey Mesquite:  Require little to no care.  The catkins (yellow flowers 
that become seed pods) attract
birds, and if you or a family member have diabetes, the seed pods can be 
ground into a flour and used
as you would wheat.  This particular variety produces the best, sweetest 
tasting pods -- that are actually
beneficial for diabetics.  Another fun variety is the Screwbean 
Mesquite.  DISADVANTAGES:  ALL Mesquites
have unbelievable root growth -- sometimes sprawling 40 feet.  If you 
have a nearby septic field, be
careful to grow the mesquite(s) at a distance of 50 feet from the leech 
field.

Desert Hackberry:  Dense growth, little to no care.  Grows berries that 
attract Cardinals and Phainopepla
(which look like a jet-black Cardinal).  Both birds sing, and the 
Phainopepla will actually nest in the tree
from June thru September, gobbling up all of the berries.  If the 
families stays longer, winter will be mild.
DISADVANTAGES:  This tree is a bit difficult to get going, but it's a 
lot of fun if you like songbirds.

Jojoba:  Dense growth, little to no care.  Like the Hackberry, this tree 
grows berries which birds of all
species seem to enjoy snacking upon.  DISADVANTAGES:  Until you train it 
to grow into a tree (instead
of a bush), critters -- like rattlesnakes, like to nap under them.  
Paula, this is NOT a big fat hairy deal if you
have plenty of Roadrunners in your area.  In fact, it is quite 
entertaining to watch how skillfully the Roadrunner
will attack, maim, and kill rattlesnakes.  (Roadrunners belong to the 
family of "ground cuckoo's", which are
carnivores, darn cute, and fun to watch!)   :-)

I'm sure other folks on this list will offer more suggestions.   The 
ones I have suggested are those which
we grow in our "wash" -- in Tucson.   Hubby suggests a Rhus Lancia or 
Cottonwood... however I know
NOTHING about these tree's root growth.  They do however provide immense 
shade, and grow nicely
in and around "washes".   Whatever you choose...  Good Luck, Paula! 

Best Wishes and Kindest Regards,  Genie

Paula Enyart wrote:

85255
pjenyart at cox.net

What type of tree could I plant that would give the most shade least amount of litter low water because it will be in a wash, with full west sun? I had some sort of Paolo Verde that was very messy, very fast growing and just kept splitting until I had to take it out.

    
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