Can you find a wide variety of trees growing in Arizona?
Are they native to the area, or are most non-native?
How important is it to choose the right tree types in Arizona landscaping?
Most of the trees that grow in Arizona are native to the area, although some are non-native. There are plenty of options to choose from when looking for an Arizona tree, and this makes it easier than ever to find the right option for your landscaping needs.
Read through the article below to find out more about the trees you can grow in Arizona.
1. African Sumac
Scientific name: Rhus lancea
This tree has a thick brown trunk and a full canopy. It grows full foliage with bright yellow-green leaves and branches low to the ground. The tree needs full sunlight to partial shade.
Pros
- Drought tolerant
- Grows well in poor soil
Cons
- Needs to be fertilized
2. Aleppo Pine
Scientific name: Pinus halepensis
This tree has a windswept appearance with thin branches and a small amount of foliage. It needs direct sunlight and warm temperatures.
Pros
- Heat tolerant
- Drought tolerant
Cons
- May be too large for some lawns
3. Arizona Ash
Scientific name: Fraxinus velutina
This large tree has a thick trunk and many branches. It grows with bright green leaves and can become extremely tall and wide. The tree needs to be established in full sunlight and requires fertilizer.
Pros
- Excellent shade option
- Wind resistant
Cons
- Too large for many lawns
4. Arizona Cypress
Scientific name: Cupressus arizonica
This large tree has a full shape and branches that grow all the way down to the ground. It can be bright green to gray-green in color. The tree needs sandy, well-draining soil.
Pros
- Tolerant of soil types
- Drought tolerant
Cons
- Needs to be pruned and shaped
5. Arizona Sycamore
Scientific name: Platanus wrightii
This tall tree grows several separate branching sections from a thin central trunk. It has bright green leaves and requires good watering as well as bright sunlight.
Pros
- Cold tolerant
- Easy to grow and propagate
Cons
- Needs more water than most on this list
6. Arizona Walnut
Scientific name: Juglans major
This large tree has a round, full canopy and can reach tall heights. It features bright green leaves and several branching sections, and it can be grown in full sunlight to partial shade.
Pros
- Tolerant of drought
- Tolerant of cold and heat
Cons
- Requires irrigation while establishing
7. Box Elder Maple Tree
Scientific name: Acer negundo
This tree has a dark brown trunk and vibrant green leaves. It grows full but stays low to the ground, and it enjoys growing in slightly moist conditions whenever possible.
Pros
- Tolerant of almost any soil condition
- Wind tolerant
Cons
- Cannot handle salt spray in the air
8. Cat’s Claw Acacia
Scientific name: Senegalia greggii
This tree grows low to the ground but has a full canopy. It features bright yellow-green foliage and has delicate yellow flowers that bloom in clusters. The tree needs full sunlight and enjoys poor soil conditions.
Pros
- Drought tolerant when established
- Easy to care for
Cons
- Requires pruning regualrly
9. Chinese Elm
Scientific name: Ulmus parvifolia
This tall tree has a full canopy that grows up and out from its central trunk. It likes full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, and it is slightly cold tolerant as well.
Pros
- Can be grown indoors or outside
- Easy to care for when established
Cons
- Must be pruned
10. Desert Fern
Scientific name: Chamaebatiaria millefolium
This small fern grows low to the ground and has long fronds. It may be green to gray-green in color, and it likes a hot, dry climate.
Pros
- Ideal ground cover in the desert
- Drought tolerant
Cons
- Easy to overwater
11. Desert Willow
Scientific name: Chilopsis linearis
This tree is short with a thin trunk and bright green to green-yellow foliage. It grows delicate purple flowers with yellow centers, and it needs sandy and well-draining soil.
Pros
- Tolerant of many soil conditions
- Drought tolerant
Cons
- Can be easily overwatered
12. Fan Palm
Scientific name: Washingtonia filifera
This tree has a distinctive palm tree shape with a thick trunk and big, sprawling green fronds on top of the plant. It requires full sunlight to partial shade, but should get at least six hours of light per day if possible.
Pros
- Can be started indoors
- Adds lots of aesthetic appeal to a lawn
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space when mature
13. Indian Rosewood
Scientific name: Dalbergia sissoo
This large tree has a full canopy that grows low to the ground. It features dark green foliage and leaves with a somewhat leather-like texture. The tree needs full sunlight, but it can handle some shade as well.
Pros
- Tolerant of any soil condition
- Tolerant of drought when established
Cons
- Requires irrigation while establishing
14. Ironwood
Scientific name: Olneya tesota
This tree has a short trunk and long, thin branches that are topped with dark green foliage. It requires moisture in its soil but is native to the Sonoran Desert, making it a good choice for desert climates.
Pros
- Durable and hardy
- Heat tolerant
Cons
- Slow-growing
15. Joshua Tree
Scientific name: Yucca brevifolia
This tree has a unique shape with growth sections that form on top of each other. These are topped with dark green foliage similar to palm fronds. The plant needs bright, full sunlight and sandy soil.
Pros
- Easy to propagate
- Stunning aesthetic appeal
Cons
- Can be difficult to establish
16. Velvet Mesquite Tree
Scientific name: Prosopis velutina
This tree stays low to the ground by branches out into separate sections. It has a dark brown trunk and rich, green foliage, and it requires alkaline soil and low humidity conditions.
Pros
- Cold-hardy
- Drought-tolerant when established
Cons
- Does not like much humidity at all
17. Palo Blanco
Scientific name: Mariosousa heterophylla
This tree has a pale trunk and lots of separate branching sections. It grows deep green foliage and can become very tall. It requires full sunlight.
Pros
- Grows well in desert climates
- Easy to care for when established
Cons
- Cannot handle too much water
18. Palo Brea
Scientific name: Parkinsonia praecox
This tree grows a large, full canopy with deep green leaves. When it flowers, it is full of delicate yellow floral blooms. It needs a lot of room to grow and full sunlight.
Pros
- Handles infrequent watering when established
- Can be planted year-round in deserts
Cons
- Cannot grow well in lawns
19. Palo Verde
Scientific name: Parkinsonia spp.
This plant grows long, thin stalks of foliage and has delicate yellow flowers. It needs full sunlight all day and requires a lot of space.
Pros
- Drought-tolerant
- Heat-tolerant
Cons
- Easy to overwater
20. Texas Ebony
Scientific name: Ebenopsis ebano
These trees are short and thin with bushy canopies and bright green foliage. They like full sunlight and hot temperatures, and they require loamy and well-draining soil.
Pros
- Easy to grow when established
- Good choice for beginners
Cons
- Require pruning
21. Willow Acacia
Scientific name: Acacia salicina
This tree has long, thin, blue-green foliage and a scruffy appearance. It enjoys high temperatures and bright, full sunlight.
Pros
- Fast-growing
- Drought-tolerant
Cons
- Requires pruning regularly
Conclusion
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right tree for your space:
- Pay attention to the amount of space you have to work with. Choose a tree that can fit comfortably into your space.
- Think about the other plants you have and choose a tree that will grow well with them.
- Consider the aesthetic appeal of the tree you choose.