Palo Verde
Palo verde is one notable blooming desert tree.
Exquisite when in bloom, it attracts lots of attention with its thousands of showy yellow flowers. And when not in bloom, you can still enjoy its graceful shape and unusual green trunk and stems.
This beauty is also a very practical plant to keep in your garden.
It's extremely drought tolerant and low maintenance in the Palm Springs area, and highly adapted to the desert heat. All parts of the tree are non-toxic and produce edible pea-like fruits for yourself, your pets, or your livestock to enjoy.
Botanical name: Parkinsonia aculeata
Other names: Palo verde tree, Mexican palo verde, Jerusalem thorn
Various Palo verde trees in 5-gallon containers for sale at the nursery
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Palo Verde Appearance
Up close look at the Palo verde stems
Palo verde is a deciduous tree that sheds leaves with cooler temperatures or drought.
It’s a beautiful tree even when leaves have fallen with its long, slender branches and its signature green trunk. The trunk will turn into a brighter green during drought due to higher chlorophyll production to compensate for the loss of leaves. Palo verde is Spanish for "green stick."
Sensational and exquisite when in bloom, with thousands of tiny, bright yellow flowers that are fragrant, attracting bees and butterflies.
Narrow, brown seedpods will soon thereafter emerge. Palo verde is in the pea family, known as Fabaceae. Green, edible pea-like fruits.
Leaf stems grow 20 pairs or so of tiny, light-green leaves on each side.
Branches have thorns that are less than a half-inch long.
A small and manageable tree that commonly grows to 15-20 feet in the Southwest of the USA, although it can grow to 30 feet.
Palo Verde Landscaping Tips
Palo Verdes are very heat tolerant and can be strategically placed somewhere where they can provide shade for less heat-tolerant plants or resting areas in the yard.
Palo Verdes perform so well in dry and hot deserts, that they are considered invasive in Australia. If reseeding becomes a problem in your yard, regular maintenance and clean-up will be necessary.
The pea-like fruits are edible and can be eaten just like peas. There are no toxic parts of the tree, making it a great candidate for those with pets and livestock such as horses, goats, and chickens.
Stake young trees, and provide regular watering. Once established, Palo Verdes are very drought-resistant.
When in bloom, Palo Verdes will add fragrance and a profusion of beautiful, yellow flowers to the landscape. Great for adding curb appeal. Branches can be used for flower arrangements.
Palo Verde Origin
Palo verde is native to dry and warm regions in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, and Central America
Palo Verde Care
Palo verdes are highly tolerant of heat, drought, salt in coastal areas, and poor soils with little nutrition.
Soil: Well draining alkaline soil. Adapts to a wide range of soils including sand and clay. Tolerates poor nutrition. Will become a larger tree with moderately fertile soil.
Temperature: Tolerates high temperatures above 100 degrees. Hardy down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water: Keep soil lightly moist while tree is becoming established. Then, occasional, deep watering. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Either use a moisture meter or stick your finger through the soil to gauge the moisture level.
Sun: Full sun
Palo verde trees for sale in 24“ boxes.
Palo Verde Problems
Pests: Palo Verde has minimal pests which include scales.
To remove scales, pick them off or use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Horticultural oil will kill both crawlers and adults with direct contact. Insecticidal soap is better used to target only the crawlers. Whenever using any kind of pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.
Signs of overwatering: Yellowing trunk, weak branch growth, leaf drop
Signs of too little water: Leaf discoloration, leaf drop
Signs of too much sun: Palo Verdes can handle heat as long as it gets ample water during heat waves
Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, discoloring.
Palo Verde Propagation
Palo verde can be propagated via seeds or cuttings.
FAQ
How much does Palo verde cost?
At our nursery, a Palo verde tree costs $120 for a 15-gallon container, $250 for a 24-inch box, $500 for a 30-inch box, $750 for a 36-inch box, and $2500 for a 48-inch box
Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information on pricing. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.
How fast does palo verde grow?
Palo verde grows very fast when it’s young, often 2ft - 3ft a year in the Palm Springs area. The growth will dramatically slow down once it is about 10 feet.
How big does palo verde get?
Palo verde usually grows to 15 to 20 feet in the Southwest, although it can grow to 30 feet with more favorable conditions such as generous watering and fertile soils.
Why is my Palo Verde losing leaves?
Palo verde trees regulate their water needs quickly by shedding and regrowing leaves. It is probably losing its leaves due to too much or too little watering, and if it’s new, due to transplant shock.
SUMMARY
| SIZE (H X W) | 30 feet |
|---|---|
| FLOWER COLOR | Yellow |
| FLOWER SEASON | Spring to Fall |
| EXPOSURE | Full Sun |
| WATER | Low |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| HARDINESS | 15º F, USDA Zone 7 |
| PRUNING | As Needed |