Q. I grew up in a part of Texas where mesquites were
bushes not trees. We have a small
backyard here in Vegas with two mesquite trees in it; one large one and one
slender one. There is little or no green on them, just wood. There are so many
woody branches I am wondering if they will ever give us shade. Would you please educate me on this?
bushes not trees. We have a small
backyard here in Vegas with two mesquite trees in it; one large one and one
slender one. There is little or no green on them, just wood. There are so many
woody branches I am wondering if they will ever give us shade. Would you please educate me on this?
.JPG) |
| Native honey mesquite growing in the Mojave Desert just outside of Las Vegas, NV |
A. The Texas mesquite or honey mesquite is a shrub that
we prune into a tree form. The plant grows well here but is usually not a
preferred type of mesquite because of its long thorns. There are improved types
of mesquites that are usually preferred.
we prune into a tree form. The plant grows well here but is usually not a
preferred type of mesquite because of its long thorns. There are improved types
of mesquites that are usually preferred.
With a
little bit of care when they are young they can be trained into a tree form.
little bit of care when they are young they can be trained into a tree form.
In our
climate many mesquites drop their leaves in winter and so are considered deciduous
to semi evergreen due to winter cold. In warmer climates they tend to stay
evergreen during the winter unless there is a cold spell.
climate many mesquites drop their leaves in winter and so are considered deciduous
to semi evergreen due to winter cold. In warmer climates they tend to stay
evergreen during the winter unless there is a cold spell.
 |
| One of the ornamental mesquites in the nursery trade, claimed to be thornless, showing dense canopy and shade, a sign of abundant water. |
We
consider our local mesquite to be a riparian species of plant. In other words
it puts on growth when water is available and slows down when water is not. When
mesquite trees are watered frequently they can put on large amounts of spindly growth,
perhaps 8 feet or more each year.
consider our local mesquite to be a riparian species of plant. In other words
it puts on growth when water is available and slows down when water is not. When
mesquite trees are watered frequently they can put on large amounts of spindly growth,
perhaps 8 feet or more each year.
Mesquite
are normally very deep rooted plants in the wild. Being deep-rooted gives them
the capability of avoiding long periods of time without water. For this reason
they can be very drought tolerant if they have rooted deeply.
are normally very deep rooted plants in the wild. Being deep-rooted gives them
the capability of avoiding long periods of time without water. For this reason
they can be very drought tolerant if they have rooted deeply.
 |
| Native mesquite growing in the Sonoran Desert near Jerez, Mex, demonstrating sinker roots tapping into deep water from a nearby river. |
If mesquite
trees are watered too often, their roots will tend to be shallow and not deep-rooted,
a frequent problem in over-irrigated landscapes. They also tend to put on a lot
of wood because of frequent irrigations.
trees are watered too often, their roots will tend to be shallow and not deep-rooted,
a frequent problem in over-irrigated landscapes. They also tend to put on a lot
of wood because of frequent irrigations.
Mesquite
trees handle pruning very well and their growth is very adaptable to landscape
management. They do well with light fertilizer applications annually. They
should be grouped with other desert plants for irrigation purposes.
trees handle pruning very well and their growth is very adaptable to landscape
management. They do well with light fertilizer applications annually. They
should be grouped with other desert plants for irrigation purposes.
After
training these plants into a tree form they do not require a lot of pruning. In
fact heavy pruning just encourages a lot of new growth. I would remove lower
branches just high enough to allow traffic to pass under them.
training these plants into a tree form they do not require a lot of pruning. In
fact heavy pruning just encourages a lot of new growth. I would remove lower
branches just high enough to allow traffic to pass under them.
Frequent
irrigations will cause these plants to be lush and provide dense shade.
Watering less often will cause them to become more open and provide lighter
shade. Remove branches that are crossing or growing too close together.
irrigations will cause these plants to be lush and provide dense shade.
Watering less often will cause them to become more open and provide lighter
shade. Remove branches that are crossing or growing too close together.
Limbs
would be removed at their point of origin, not by hedging or simply cutting them
back.
would be removed at their point of origin, not by hedging or simply cutting them
back.