Leaflets give the canopy a lush green look. At maturity, Mesquites can be up to 30 feet tall and as wide with symmetrical, dome- shaped, spreading canopies. Shade is a welcome addition to all desert landscapes but may inhibit the growth and flower production of under-story plantings. Locations Home The top of the plant is a clone of South American hybrid mesquite, while the rootstock is our native Prosopis juliflora. Wind damage and uprooting are the products of poor pruning and staking practices and improper irrigation and should not be considered as inherent, unavoidable horticultural shortcomings of Prosopis hybrids. This grafted tree is thornless, fast-growing, and semi-evergreen. Irrigation emitter arrangement along with other information on irrigations practices for desert trees can be found on our website FAQ page at “Irrigation Practices for Desert Trees.”, Prune as needed to reinforce the structure and form of the tree. Despite the fact that it is closely related to the mesquite of the desert Southwest, it is in fact an import from Chile where the climate is the mirror image in the Southern Hemisphere. Leaflets give the canopy a lush green look. The Shade from this Thornless Chilean Mesquite, Prosopis chilensis, creates a 10-15 degree cooler temperature in our yard. The first 2 to 3 years following transplanting are critical in establishing a well distributed root system. LOW MAINTENANCE About Us Contact Us. ***The photo(s) does not necessarily reflect what is currently available at Evergreen Nursery***, Stock varies-Not all sizes listed may be in stock, Other sizes & pricing maybe available - please inquire. Pale yellow flowers are followed by brown seedpods. Regular, periodic thinning is the most desirable method of pruning. Avoid hedging or heading back desert species as this will only stimulate excessive branching. While both methods improve uniformity both have limitations. Within the landscape industry, Prosopis chilensis and Chilean Mesquites have evolved to become trade terms with only limited botanical relevance. Prosopis Thornless Hybrid ‘AZT’, ‘AZT’ Thornless Hybrid Mesquite: These trees exhibit a uniform appearance, upright growth and strong branch angles. Do you have additional information or a different experience for this plant that you would like to … THORNLESS: This full sun tree has a fast growth rate beyond 20 feet and is cold hardy to 15 degrees F. It has a uniform appearance, upright growth and strong branch angles. Arid Zone Trees: Thornless Hybrid Mesquite Arizona State University: Prosopis Chilensis Jolene Hansen Jolene Hansen is a lifelong gardening enthusiast and former horticulture professional.  The shade produced by Prosopis Thornless Hybrid ‘AZT’ can range from filtered to quite dense. Follow a deep watering schedule during the … Blog Return Policy Trees are thornless, making them ideal for landscape applications from re-vegetation of disturbed desert sites to streetscapes, park plantings and commercial and residential landscapes. In rare instances, insect pests can be a problem on some desert trees. A contact insecticide application will kill existing adults. But new thornless hybrids could provide ag revenue and boost xeriscaping. The form and texture of Prosopis thornless hybrid ‘AZT’ blend almost seamlessly with surrounding native Sonoran desert trees and shrubs. During dry months, (May and June) in dusty conditions, spider mites can appear. Below in the photo is a Hybrid Mesquite that is Thornless, called the Chilean Mesquite. These thornless trees fall into the pea family and like many legumes they are also nitrogen fixers. This tree is a member of the Legume family (Fabaceae). The best of these trees are placed in our cloning production system and are designated Variety ‘AZT.’  Since no single selection of any desert tree species is best adapted to all landscape applications, we continually search for new additions to our Variety ‘AZT.’. By providing abundant shade, a lush green leaf canopy and graceful fissured brown trunks, Thornless Mesquites are another of the wonderful trees that dispelled the myth that desert landscapes were hot, barren, spiny and uninviting. Prosopis thornless hybrid 'AZT' is propagated and available exclusively from Arid Zone Trees. Carefully consider the ultimate shade that can be produced by these trees and the impact of shade on the growth and flowering of under-story plants and turf. ‘Variety AZT’ is just one part of Arid Zone Trees’ commitment to providing quality products and professional services. An improved grafted selection, Phoenix® Thornless Mesquite has a solid root system and healthier, stronger branches than standard varieties. The characteristics that set these ‘AZT’ clones apart from seed selections are the absence of thorns, uniform upright growth, synchronous bud break and, with sound horticultural practices, root mass growth that is in proportion to canopy growth. However, several points seem undisputed: 1) the published literature is nearly unanimous in describing the tree as a hybrid, a cross or mating of two different parent types; 2) trees sold are either entirely thornless or have few or very small thorns and 3) an assortment of trees with widely varying physical and horticultural characteristics, but sharing the thornless trait, are sold as Chilean Mesquites. Inspect trees during the growing season for common garden sucking insects such as aphids, thrip, whiteflies or psyllids. Such limitation can be a double edged sword when trees are installed in the landscape. Foster the development of a more dispersed root system and reduce the risk of wind throw by arranging irrigation emitters at varying distances from the trunk to encourage roots to "seek out" water and nutrients. Thornless South American Hybrid Mesquite is a fast-growing semi-evergreen tree that grows to 30 feet tall with a 30 foot spread. In late spring Mesquites produce yellow-green, unremarkable, catkin-like flowers. Pruning to remove about 20% of the canopy during the growing season helps promote root development that is proportional to the shoot growth of young trees. Forms a lush airy canopy that is excellent for providing … In landscape settings where water and nitrogen are unusually abundant, Mesquites can produce large dense leaf canopies from limited root systems. The foliage is lacy and fern-like with compound leaves consisting of anywhere from 20 to 40 leaflets. This rootstock has … Cold hardy to 10 to 15 degrees F, they can be planted throughout most regions of the desert southwest. The assortment of shapes and forms of thornless mesquites has been of benefit to landscape architects and contractors by offering them the opportunity to select trees uniquely suited to a given landscape application. Pale yellow flowers are followed by brown seedpods. The actual botanical name of this specie has long been a subject of controversy in both scientific and commercial circles. Always use clean, sharp tools that are cleaned regularly in a 10% solution of bleach. Upright branching, dense foliage, trunk structure and rapid growth are examples of phenotypes growers might use in selecting parent stock. A dense canopy of fine leaves makes it a great choice for summer shade. For pesticide control recommendations contact a licensed pest control advisor. Before using pesticide for the first time or on new plants or cultivar, treat a few plants and check for phytotoxicity. The mesquite is reviled by ranchers for its thorns and stubborn growth. For heavy infestation or longer control, use federally registered insecticides. Only individual trees having the most desirable physical qualities (branching habits, leaf color, leaf canopy, and flower color) and sound horticultural characteristics (rooting, cold hardiness and growth rate) are selected for further  study. Both methods rely on limiting the genetic diversity within the propagation stock. Use tree stakes only when absolutely necessary and then only briefly. Many trees offered for sale as thornless mesquites are hybrids of Chilean mesquite and other native and non-native mesquites. Plant Catalog The different species cross readily, leaving a botanical jumble in their wake. At 10 years old, under good tree parent care, they will sport a trunk diameter of 6 to 8 inches and rise to 20 to 25 feet in height. This hybrid of Chile has creamy, fuzzy spikes appearing in late spring. It is not difficult to understand its popularity among landscape professionals given the trees’ qualities. Submitted by ADS on Thu, 06/11/2020 - 1:20pm, Prosopis x 'Phoenix' - Thornless South American Hybrid Mesquite. While its horticultural characteristics and taxonomy remains the subject of sometimes heated discussion, Prosopis thornless hybrid ‘AZT’ are among the most popular and widely used trees in the desert landscape palette. Prosopis Thornless Hybrid ‘AZT’, ‘AZT’ Thornless Hybrid Mesquite: These trees exhibit a uniform appearance, upright growth and strong branch angles. Forms a lush airy canopy that is excellent for providing filtered shade in hot, dry climates. Several cultivars are bred by nurseries and vary in appearance and behaviour. Evergreen Policies Always read the label and follow label instruction before using pesticides.