Trees That Withstand Desert Heat

Acacia trees flourish in hot, arid climates.

Every microclimate presents its own challenges to gardeners and landscapers, but deserts are more difficult than most. They are arid by definition, receiving less than 10 inches of water per year. Many deserts are also exceptionally hot. Between the heat and lack of precipitation it can be difficult to find plants, especially trees, that flourish with little or no irrigation. Well-chosen trees provide shade and organic material that can help other plants grow in the harsh desert climate, and many desert varieties enrich the soil with nitrogen. A few basic tips can help your hot-weather trees flourish.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy-duty rototiller

Instructions

1. Study the characteristics of each tree, and be sure you're putting them in appropriate places. Trees that provide heavy shade are best for landscaping, patio or garden areas, while trees that provide light shade can be incorporated into the layout of your lawn.

2. Dig the soil to a depth of at least a foot using a heavy rototiller. Construction equipment tends to compact the soil, and your trees will grow better if the ground is cultivated. Remember that most desert trees have a broad network of roots, so cultivate an area several feet wider than the tree's root ball.

3. Plant acacia trees, desert ironwood or mesquite in areas where you intend to place other plants. All three of these are very tolerant of heat and drought, and all three are nitrogen-fixers. This means they enrich the soil with nitrogen, as beans and peas do, and help fertilize other plants. Their seeds will also attract birds and wildlife.

4. Use chitalpa or California pepper trees for attractive shade. The chitalpa blossoms tirelessly all summer, while the California pepper tree provides beautiful dark-green foliage.

5. Accent key visual focal points in your landscape with visually striking trees such as the Joshua tree or California fan palm. Both trees, in their respective ways, make a singular appearance that adds interest to your landscaping.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your local garden center to find out which trees they recommend for your specific climate.

• Many desert trees combine a long taproot that finds deep water, with a large web of shallow roots that take up any precipitation or surface water that may come along. In some cases these shallow roots can be a threat to your foundation, sewer or septic piping or even your driveway surface. Your local garden center can advise you how much root space to allow for each species of tree.

References

• Hot Gardens.net: The Best Fast Growing Trees for Hot, Dry Climates
• Desert USA: Mesquite
• Desert USA: California Fan Palm
• Blue Planet Biomes: Desert Ironwood
• San Francisco State University: The Biogeography of The Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia)
• University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Becoming a Desert Gardener

Resources

• National Geographic: Deserts