[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[plang4 at cox.net]

new to desert
85375
plang4 at cox.net

I moved to Sun City West last fall from the Pacific Northwest. I waited a year to do any new planting in my yard. I am glad I waited because now I am aware of the winds and that we get below freezing tempeerture. (Oh yes, I almost forgot those pesky rabbits). Even though my house and yard where put in  the 80's I  lost several mature plants this winter.  

I am not ready to start to do some landscaping. My first concern is to put in a shade tree to protect my patio from the heat of the afternoon . The patio faces wesst.  I have done a lot of reading on the subject.  All that it has done is confuse me.  Every tree has its pros and cons.  I would like a tree that would  be a low water user( I am a snowbird ), of course low maintance, and will not out grow the area in time.

I would appreciate any help on this subject.