Care of Honey Mesquites

As a wild-branching shade tree or well-pruned ornamental specimen, the honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) is an attractive addition to a landscape. While the tree is easy to maintain and drought-tolerant, its growth gets a boost from extra watering early in its life. The honey mesquite serves well as a shade tree, landscape specimen or screen, producing edible pods that were once consumed by Native Americans. Its fragrant white flowers appear in spring and after heavy rainfall.

Instructions

1. Plant honey mesquite in a sunny or partial shade location with well-draining soil. If you're planting from seed, a soil temperature of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Spring and late fall are seasons with ideal soil moisture levels for germination. Place seeds in soil at a depth of one-quarter inch. Allow plenty of space for the tree to grow, as it can reach 30 feet with a 40-foot-wide canopy.

2. Water deeply and somewhat occasionally as the tree is establishing, but less often once the tree is established. Water deeply each time you water. Honey mesquite sends a deep taproot, allowing it to absorb moisture even when rainfall is scarce. These roots have been recorded at depths of 150 feet. During dry periods, the growth of the tree slows. Provide extra irrigation when the tree is developing to create a larger tree. Established, older trees need less water.

3. Prune lower branches to provide clearance next to sidewalks or streets and to control growth as desired. Mesquite has a weeping appearance and begins to droop and grow with a wild habit as it ages.

Tips & Warnings

• Fertilizer is not necessary for honey mesquite. As a legume, it is capable of fixing nitrogen from the soil on its own.

• After its yellow springtime flowers, honey mesquite produces large bean-like seed pods that can create a serious mess for homeowners. Don't plant the tree near swimming pools or high-traffic foot areas. While the bean pods can be irritating, they are actually useful. The beans can be ground into a meal for bread and contain high sugar levels sufficient for fermenting alcohol, which was created by native Americans.

References

• US Forest Service; Prosopis glandulosa--Mesquite; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; October 1994
• University of Nevada Cooperative Extension; Using the Western Honey Mesquite in a Southwest Landscape; Bob Hammond
• "Journal of Range Management"; Emergence of Honey Mesquite Seedlings Relative to Planting Depth and Soil Temperature; C.J. Siefres, et al.; 1992
• Oklahoma State University: Mesquite Prosopis Glandulosa