Palo verde tree is a beautiful, hardy tree that is perfect for any landscape. This deciduous tree is native to Mexico and Arizona, and it grows to a height of 30 feet. The palo verde tree has a wide, spreading canopy that provides shade and beauty to any yard. The tree is drought-tolerant and requires little water once established.
About soil condition, Palo Verde tree needs well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. It is drought resistant but sensitive to over-watering, especially when young. It is also sensitive to soils that are too alkaline.
Just like other plants, the palo verde tree needs sunlight to grow. However, it is a bit more tolerant of shady conditions than most other trees. It will still need at least six hours of direct sun each day, but it can tolerate partial shade for part of the day.
The temperature condition that is best for a Palo Verde tree is a temperature that is not too hot and not too cold. The ideal temperature for a Palo Verde tree is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the relative humidity goes below this, the leaves will start to curl and drop off. If it goes above this, the leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off.
Regarding fertilizer, this kind of plant does not need a lot of it. You can actually use less fertilizer on a Palo Verde tree than you would on other types of trees. In terms of the roots, they are relatively shallow. Therefore, you won't need to worry about them becoming entangled in underground utilities or other obstacles.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your Palo Verde tree healthy and strong. By removing dead or damaged branches, you allow new growth to emerge and prevent the spread of disease. Palo Verde trees are fast growers, so you may need to prune them several times a year to keep them in check. When pruning, be sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the bark.
Propagation for the Palo Verde tree is typically done through seed. The tree does not grow from cuttings very well. The seeds should be collected from the tree in the late fall or early winter. They can be sown directly into the ground or started in containers. The seedlings will need to be protected from frost for the first year or two. Once they are established, they are very drought tolerant and can handle full sun.
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been limited to the first few years after planting. However, a recent study found that trees planted in Tucson, Arizona, had an average annual growth rate of 10.4 inches (26.4 cm) during the first ten years after planting. The study also found that the trees had a mean diameter growth rate of 0.60 inches (1.5 cm) per year and a mean height growth rate of 2.17 feet (0.66 m) per year.
Common problems for this kind of plant are fungal diseases, particularly if the tree is grown in humid conditions. The most common problem is verticillium wilt, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. The tree may also be subject to root rot, which can make the tree unstable and cause it to topple over.
Source:
Palo Verde - Sonoran Desert Explorers - Google
Palos-Verdes - California State University, Dominguez Hills
Northern California Central Valley Trees Climate Ready Trees
