How to Care for a Blue Palo Verde

Blue Palo Verde is a large tree native to the desert southwest and northern Mexico. It grows naturally from sea level to an altitude of 4,000 feet and remains hardy in temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It often grows in desert washes to as high as 35 feet and it grows as a thick mound of branches that are resistant to desert winds. The shape of the Blue Palo Verde conserves moisture under the tree and also inhibits the growth of competitor plants.

Space for the plant to grow
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Plant the tree where it will have room to grow to as large as 25 feet across.
- 2
  Plant Blue Palo Verdes away from lawns. Grass needs more water than this tree and excessive watering may give the Blue Palo Verde root rot. The tree is also easily bruised by lawn equipment.
- 3
  Limit watering this desert-adapted plant to control tree size, manage growth and limit pruning.
- 4
  Protect these trees from "witches' broom" (dense clusters of small branches arising
  
  along the branch or at the tip) and infestations of mistletoe by pruning.
- 5
  Prune to reinforce the natural, mound shape of the bush. Never remove more than 30 percent of the canopy during summer because overpruning can lead to sun damage.

How to Plant Grass Seed by Hand

How to Prepare to Install Grass Seed

Lawn Planting