Desert Trees Zone 10a

[PastryBaker]

Hi, I have been trying to find some desert loving species, but they seem hard to find. The nurseries here only carry full grown trees. I am in Zone 10a. Hot summers up to 115. But I do use shade cloth.
I do have some tropicals that I will bring in at night when the temps get in the mid 40s.
I am looking for trees such as texas ebony, honey mesquite, hackberry, mulberry, salt cedar etc.
Looking for a little older than a seedlings. Thank you.
And businesses can reply also.

 

[rodeolthr]

I am routinely removing featherbush (lysiloma) from my garden in Palm Desert. If I lived there year round, I would be tempted to grow it as bonsai. They are super fast growing even in containers. If you're interested in giving them a try, I'm sure there are plenty I could give you. We will be there sometime the first week of December.

 

[PastryBaker]

I am routinely removing featherbush (lysiloma) from my garden in Palm Desert. If I lived there year round, I would be tempted to grow it as bonsai. They are super fast growing even in containers. If you're interested in giving them a try, I'm sure there are plenty I could give you. We will be there sometime the first week of December.

Hi, I would love to try as a bonsai. I think I saw one the other day down the street. Thank you.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I've got an Afghan pine, Italian Stone pine, and Bristlecone pines that seem to love where I'm at. I know it's MUCH hotter there in Palm Springs, but they seem to do well in summer. I wonder if any of those might work for you.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

A species I'm looking for ideal specimens is creosote bush, Larrea tridentata. Very small, dark green leathery leaves and branches and trunk that appear aged very early. Those I've seen growing around here seem to naturally form pads, and the inconspicuous yellow blossoms are fairly showy when in full bloom. They also smell amazing, like the fresh desert after a long-awaited rain. One thing I am keeping an eye out for is a plant with root flare. They don't seem to form natural nebari, but otherwise a very strong candidate for an unusual species that should thrive in our climates, especially considering the extra care we give them. I have to confess, also, that I don't know how well they back bud. I see them everywhere. Empty lots, roadsides, along canals and arroyos, etc. If you know what you're looking for, they're almost impossible to miss.

Also, there are some Ulmus species that volunteer around here, too. Maybe look around and see if any are growing in your area? They are dropping seeds right now in Lubbock, TX. I collected some last weekend when I was there.

I have a mimosa in my backyard, and now have a dozen or so seedlings that I plan to start working on in the spring. They grow everywhere, so that might be an option. They are invasive, so if you grow one as a landscape plant, keep that in mind. They're extremely prolific seeders, but hummingbirds love them.

 

[PastryBaker]

A species I'm looking for ideal specimens is creosote bush, Larrea tridentata. Very small, dark green leathery leaves and branches and trunk that appear aged very early. Those I've seen growing around here seem to naturally form pads, and the inconspicuous yellow blossoms are fairly showy when in full bloom. They also smell amazing, like the fresh desert after a long-awaited rain. One thing I am keeping an eye out for is a plant with root flare. They don't seem to form natural nebari, but otherwise a very strong candidate for an unusual species that should thrive in our climates, especially considering the extra care we give them. I have to confess, also, that I don't know how well they back bud. I see them everywhere. Empty lots, roadsides, along canals and arroyos, etc. If you know what you're looking for, they're almost impossible to miss.

Also, there are some Ulmus species that volunteer around here, too. Maybe look around and see if any are growing in your area? They are dropping seeds right now in Lubbock, TX. I collected some last weekend when I was there.

I have a mimosa in my backyard, and now have a dozen or so seedlings that I plan to start working on in the spring. They grow everywhere, so that might be an option. They are invasive, so if you grow one as a landscape plant, keep that in mind. They're extremely prolific seeders, but hummingbirds love them.

Mimosa does not grow here. It gets too hot and no humidity. Palm Springs is a zone to itself. Summers are 110-120 and at night is will drop to a nice 90...lol
Our electric bills in summer are $400 or more a month. But I am going to look for the Creosote Bush. I have a Coyote Brush that does well. Lantanas do well.
What is strange is my Tiger Bark Ficus grows like a weed. Without any humidity here.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

We are only a few degrees different, but that matters for trees. The mimosa that popped up in my backyard 6 years ago is nearly 20' tall, pretty much full grown. It has dropped hundreds of seed pods every growing season, 8 or so seeds apiece. I can't keep up with them. But tonight we have a freeze warning, so they're probably done for this year.
However, for whatever reason, my ficuses all just up and died on me, one of them literally overnight without indication. Or, no indication I could detect the day before. I'll probably try again. I don't have much quit in me, but I also know when to throw in the towel, and that hasn't come yet.

 

[PastryBaker]

We are only a few degrees different, but that matters for trees. The mimosa that popped up in my backyard 6 years ago is nearly 20' tall, pretty much full grown. It has dropped hundreds of seed pods every growing season, 8 or so seeds apiece. I can't keep up with them. But tonight we have a freeze warning, so they're probably done for this year.
However, for whatever reason, my ficuses all just up and died on me, one of them literally overnight without indication. Or, no indication I could detect the day before. I'll probably try again. I don't have much quit in me, but I also know when to throw in the towel, and that hasn't come yet.

Sorry about the ficus. We rarely have a freeze here. The lowest it has got here is 38F. But I still bring my trees in when it will be below 50F, except for the junipers and olive.

 

[rodeolthr]

I've experienced light freezes there, but it's been several years since. It was down around 28 or so overnight for a couple days in a row. Surprisingly the only damage I noticed was the juicy new growth on bougainvillea and ficus. Everything recovered within a couple weeks.
Concerning your trees in pots, they would most likely benefit from those cooler overnight temperatures, as long as it's about freezing.