ID of Arizona Plant

[_Keith]

 Desert shrub with green  branches. Only the main trunk is brown. Sorry about picture quality but clearly shows color nature of branches and twigs, along with seeds.  I have 3 of those seeds germinated and would love to know what it is.

[Silas_Sancona]

8 minutes ago, _Keith said:

 Desert shrub with green  branches. Only the main trunk is brown. Sorry about picture quality but clearly shows color nature of branches and twigs, along with seeds.  I have 3 of those seeds germinated and would love to know what it is.

Palo Verde, Parkinsonia sp.  Possibly Blue P.V. P florida. 2nd most common species across town. 

Edited June 8, 2018 by Silas_Sancona
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[_Keith]

2 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Palo Verde, Parkinsonia sp.  Possibly Blue P.V. P floridia. 

Definitely not a regular Parkinsonia, but maybe a Blue and that would be cool.  I had a Parkinsonia in the garden for close to 15 years, but obviously this is not their optimum climate.  Weak root system and they tend to go down in hurricanes and wind events.  Locals told me they have the same problem in Arizona. 

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, _Keith said:

Definitely not a regular Parkinsonia, but maybe a Blue and that would be cool.  I had a Parkinsonia in the garden for close to 15 years, but obviously this is not their optimum climate.  Weak root system and they tend to go down in hurricanes and wind events.  Locals told me they have the same problem in Arizona. 

Oh yes, lol.. Even a spring wind /dust storm can down trees or large branches here on all the Palo Verde species.. though i have noticed that Blue, and Mexican ( which is the traditional species associated with Parkinsonia.. Others, formally listed under Cercidium, were lumped into Parkinsonia awhile back) are the usual suspects seen toppled or broken up after severe summer storms. 

 Alot of times, complete Blow down during our summer storms is a matter of improper care when establishing newly planted trees. Out in the Desert, these things can survive on minimal water and you don't see ( at least i haven't yet) as many trees fall over as you do in town. Another thing is a very large beetle lives in the root system of these and can weaken an already stressed out specimen.  

[Xerarch]

11 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Oh yes, lol.. Even a spring wind /dust storm can down trees or large branches here on all the Palo Verde species.. though i have noticed that Blue, and Mexican ( which is the traditional species associated with Parkinsonia.. Others, formally listed under Cercidium, were lumped into Parkinsonia awhile back) are the usual suspects seen toppled or broken up after severe summer storms. 

 Alot of times, complete Blow down during our summer storms is a matter of improper care when establishing newly planted trees. Out in the Desert, these things can survive on minimal water and you don't see ( at least i haven't yet) as many trees fall over as you do in town. Another thing is a very large beetle lives in the root system of these and can weaken an already stressed out specimen.  

Correct, the above pictured tree is (was) a Cercidium, I think they are generally nicer than the Parkinsonia (before addition of Cercidium). And they blow over all the time in town but not in the desert. I had a lot experience working with these when I lived in AZ. I think the container growing culture is particularly hard on them, they get rootbound easily. I’ve seen huge, mature trees that get blown over in a windstorm and when you go get a close look, guess what, roots all bound up, bottle-necking the trunk big time just below the surface. I saw it all the time.  Beautiful trees though, nice yellow blossoms, green branches. They seem to do fine in humid climates also, I saw some nice ones in Houston a little while back although I did not verify exactly which species it was. One of my personal favorites in the genus is the Palo Brea, Cercidium (now Parkinsonia) praecox, has nice light blue branches. 

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, Xerarch said:

Correct, the above pictured tree is (was) a Cercidium, I think they are generally nicer than the Parkinsonia (before addition of Cercidium). And they blow over all the time in town but not in the desert. I had a lot experience working with these when I lived in AZ. I think the container growing culture is particularly hard on them, they get rootbound easily. I’ve seen huge, mature trees that get blown over in a windstorm and when you go get a close look, guess what, roots all bound up, bottle-necking the trunk big time just below the surface. I saw it all the time.  Beautiful trees though, nice yellow blossoms, green branches. They seem to do fine in humid climates also, I saw some nice ones in Houston a little while back although I did not verify exactly which species it was. One of my personal favorites in the genus is the Palo Brea, Cercidium (now Parkinsonia) praecox, has nice light blue branches. 

Agree with you regarding issues seen in container-grown specimens. Girdled / rootbound / circling roots are likely what sets these trees up for potential failure once planted.  One reason i always advise anyone interested in purchasing to take the time to source a properly grown tree, looking closely for girdling or circling. I also personally don't recommend purchasing anything over a 15gal.. Same with Mesquite.. another desert tree that wants to sink deep roots right away.  Of course, there will always be less patient clients who want a full -sized tree right away.. 

No doubt, any other Palo Verde species is nicer than Parkinsonia aculeata, Jerusalem Thorn / Mex. P.V. Interestingly, i have seen these popping up along I-10 between here and Tucson though i couldn't sight larger trees near by which might act as a seed source.. While accidental introduction is the likely source of these, had heard in passing conversation that it might be trying to expand it's range out of N. Sonora also.

P. Praecox and X Desert Museum are my favorites as well.. There is a shopping mall back in San Jose ( CA) that had planted several in their parking strips years ago, attesting to adaptability outside the low desert. 

A couple pictures from back in April @ Desert Botanical. Was a really good bloom year for these across the valley, same with Ironwoods. Palo Verde across the street from me are loaded w/seed atm. 

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

That is a cercidium and we grow those by the thousands.