Oak trees in desert landscaping

The Desert Willow or Whitethorn Acacia are also a good choice for desert shade and flowers. This medium sized tree reaches about 25 feet tall and wide. The native species has pink summer flowers, whereas cultivars are available with burgundy or lavender flowers. Desert Willows prefer good drainage and full sun. They look best with supplemental irrigation.The Blue Palo Verde is Arizona’s state tree, and for good reason. This is a fairly fast growing tree, reaching about 25 feet tall and wide. The Blue Palo Verde is revered for its lovely bluish cast to the leaves, and the stunning yellow flower show in the spring. This tree accepts all kinds of soils.View the list »
The Velvet Mesquite is a large deciduous tree for desert landscaping. Providing not only shade, think of the mesquite as a bonus for wildlife as well. Plant mesquites in any soil, and give them enough water to maintain a nice tree. This means supplemental irrigation throughout the hot months, and once a month in the winter. 

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Oak trees are found in landscaped areas of both public and private nature, throughout the Tucson and Green Valley areas with mixed success. Usually the species you are seeing is some variety of the Live Oak, Quercus viginiana.

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The problem with oak trees at lower elevations, is they struggle to do well, despite what nurseries may tell you. There are many examples of a group of oak trees in both Tucson and Green Valley were half the trees look good, and the other half look terrible. This is the nature of the oak.

Another aspect to keep in mind before buying a live oak is the mature size. Although slow growing, many of this oak reach 50 feet tall and wide; not a small tree by any means. They are too often planted in situations where the full size eventually becomes a problem.

The best shade tree for the desert is still the desert native. Choose either the Velvet Mesquite, Blue Palo Verde, or Desert Willow for the best results.

Reference: Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and Gregg Starr Nursery Plant Info Sheet, 1999.

View the list
  • The Velvet Mesquite is a large deciduous tree for desert landscaping. Providing not only shade, think of the mesquite as a bonus for wildlife as well. Plant mesquites in any soil, and give them enough water to maintain a nice tree. This means supplemental irrigation throughout the hot months, and once a month in the winter. 
  • The Blue Palo Verde is Arizona’s state tree, and for good reason. This is a fairly fast growing tree, reaching about 25 feet tall and wide. The Blue Palo Verde is revered for its lovely bluish cast to the leaves, and the stunning yellow flower show in the spring. This tree accepts all kinds of soils.
  • The Desert Willow or Whitethorn Acacia are also a good choice for desert shade and flowers. This medium sized tree reaches about 25 feet tall and wide. The native species has pink summer flowers, whereas cultivars are available with burgundy or lavender flowers. Desert Willows prefer good drainage and full sun. They look best with supplemental irrigation.
View the list

, Tucson Gardening Examiner

This author has lived in Arizona since 1972 and has been gardening for more than 28 years. A landscape architect and certified arborist, Linda teaches classes for everyone in desert plant care for Green Valley Recreation, and provides services in landscape design. Contact her at Linda...

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