[Arid_gardener] Pruning Chilean Mesquite Tree

[Chris Trask]

    This is actually a good time of year for pruning Chilean Mesquite.
Since your tree is relatively young, the pruning should be limited to
removing lower growth that you do not want to have develope into full limbs,
as well as any portions that failed to bear leaves this past year.  But
leave the crown (top) alone.

    Chilean Mesquites have an annoying habit of growing rapidly for the
first few years and then coming to what appears to be a screaching halt.
They may even form a flat top for a short period.  When this occurs, they
may just stand there for a couple of years or more, and then they will
suddenly select one or more upright branches and resume their rapid growth.
It's usually a good time to just leave them alone until they make up their
mind (such as it is) and decide what they want be when they get older.


Chris Trask
Outings Leader, Sierra Club (1981-1991)
Palo Verde Group Outings Chair, Sierra Club (1985-1988)
Grand Canyon Chapter Outings Chair, Sierra Club (1988-1991)
Member, Arizona Native Plant Society
Member, Arizona Governor's Advisory Council on Invasive Species (2005-2006)
Member, Central Arizona Weed Management Area

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~christrask/wildflowers.html

     We cannot command nature except by obeying her.

                                 - Sir Francis Bacon




----- Original Message -----
From: "Sandra McGrath" <dogfanatic at cox.net>
To: <arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 6:29 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Pruning Chilean Mesquite Tree


I have a 3 year old Chilean Mesquite tree. Can I trim it now or should I
wait until spring (March)? I'm getting different answers from Star Nursery.
One place told me it's the best time the other store told me to wait. I live
in Las Vegas and would appreciate your help. Sandy McGrath Dogfanatic at cox.
net


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