In honor of an often cursed tree of life, the Mesquite

[Silas_Sancona]

From the Hill Country and Rio Grande Valley of Texas to the deserts of Southern California, down into Mexico and South America, Mesquites, genus Prosopis often get a bad wrap and are often greeted with plenty of colorful language when overly plentiful on valuable grazing land. In Suburbia, especially here i the desert, one can have mixed feelings about having one in their landscape.  Still, many people are re-discovering that mesquites offer up way more value than just the flavor gained from anything BBQ'ed on the wood.  

For one, this is probably the second most valuable tree out in the desert. A quick web search will turn up numerous articles related to how important they are to wildlife. Out there, trees serve as refuge from the heat, and food throughout the year. As many as 60 species of bees pollinate flowers, plus butterflies, wasps and beetles. several Desert birds utilize trees for nesting. Trees can also harbor various reptile species that might not venture too far away from their leafy islands. The tree out back is the only spot on our property i see Ornate Tree Lizards regularly. They are also perhaps the most drought tolerant of the desert trees, sinking roots as deep as 300ft in search of permanent water, yet  can create canopy at a fairly fast rate. 

Secondly, practically everything about the tree is beneficial to the environment, or people. Trees serve as Nitrogen reservoirs in an environment where a consistent source of Nitrogen is lacking. Shed leaves, leaf stalks, twigs, and broken down pods also release N. into the soil,and help build an organic mulch layer over time. Iv'e been doing my own experiment by stripping / drying foliage from trimmings  i take off trees in the yard, and applying into pots, to see whether or not there is a benefit to the plants. On those i treated, i have less nutrient issues, and the soil has stayed cooler through the summer and retains moisture longer. After cleaning the roof of one of our sheds, i recovered a thick layer of decomposing leaves/ leaf stalks that had likely been accumulating up there for several years. I'm currently using it as a top dressing in a few seed batches, and applied it to a few things, to test. 

Old leaf stalks i use as mulch in pots



Decomposing in the soil , creating a relationship w/ soil bacteria ( white stuff, hard to see)




Partially decomposing "mulch" from the shed





As far as the benefit to people, articles out there are endless, and go way back in time... and more people are becoming familiar with products made with mesquite Flour, Honey, or a Maple- syrup substitute. Mesquite Honey itself is considered one of the best flavored on the market. The flour made from ground pods/seeds is sweet and great for those with Diabetic issues. Green pods and seeds are edible and taste like Green Beans, and dried pods can be burnt like the wood, and impart the same classic flavor. Native people of both the Southwest and Mexico have an extensive list of things they used all parts of the trees for. The black sap that can ooze from tree wounds was used in Mexico as a hair product for men called "Macho"

A bowl of colorful pods: Chiliean Mesquite (far left, flat, tan, boring) Pods off La Bestia in the back Yard.. Very sweet also (center) Pods from two different Honey Mesquites (on the right)




In the garden, i can personally attest to how Mesquite " La Bestia" in the back yard has saved some of the most valued things in my collection from sun damage. "The beast"  had 2 more companions in the yard, the plants in more sun (and west side of the house) would likely stay 12-15 degrees cooler when it is above 105F out.

"La Bestia".. the only "natural" shade i have in the back yard. May be P. velutina ( Velvet Mesquite) though i was told seed of this tree was brought and planted here by the relative of a neighbor from southern Mexico who used to live in our house years ago.. so it could be P. laevigata which originates from that region. It would be fuller if the right side didn't have to be pruned for  height clearance in the Alley. Again, wish 2 more were planted in the yard.. A little messy at times, but far cleaner than the much smaller Chilean Mesq. out front. 



At places like Desert Botanical, their collection of Cycads (mostly Dioon and Encephalartos, some Cardboards, Coonties and Cycas ) sit beneath Mesquites or Palo Verde. While there today, i noticed how some situated where the afternoon sun can reach in had more burn from recent heat than others that are fully under canopy. You can see this with the garden's Aloe and more sun sensitive cacti and Agave collections also. There's a section of the garden located by the covered succulents/ Euphorbia where a huge Mesquite creates a micro climate that is green and lush year round. In the desert, near a stream, this would be called a Bosque.. or Mesquite Grove. 

Some Nice Dioons below a leafless Velvet Mesquite in Feb. at DBG.



One other thing i've taken notice of, at least on the beast out back, If it wasn't so dang dry and hot here, i'd be attaching Epiphytes to this... 

Look at that Bark, and all the spots for orchids...



 Thorny? yes, there are "thornless" selections of Honey mesquite though and Mature sized Velvet and P. laevigata  tend to loose most of their most intimidating weapons. Additionally, our "native" species, Honey, Velvet, and Screwbean, which is more of a large bush than a canopy forming tree, have less issues in high wind or if situated near driveways/ block walls, etc..These species tend to root deep into the ground compared to South American species like Chilean Mesquite, which is planted extensively around Phoenix. South American species also produce inferior flour from the pods ( less sweet, chalky tasting) and are messier than the native species.. At least mine is..

 While a tree with some drawbacks, and one i wouldn't recommend for really small yards, it is hard not to appreciate one incredible tree that stands up to almost anything Mother Nature can throw at it, and gives back so much in return... Life in the desert would be far different without them, for sure...

Nice shade beneath a Honey Mesquite, Gilbert Riparian Preserve At Water Ranch..


-Nathan

[Fusca]

There are a couple of yards in my relatively new subdivision that have large Honey Mesquite trees that the builders left on the lot - and some with Palo Verde.  I used to have a few mesquite on a property in Bastrop county several years back - I would routinely make green tea from their leaves and also made tea from the beans without needing to add sugar.  It's almost time to go collect some seed pods now!

Jon

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/11/2018 at 12:52 AM, Fusca said:

There are a couple of yards in my relatively new subdivision that have large Honey Mesquite trees that the builders left on the lot - and some with Palo Verde.  I used to have a few mesquite on a property in Bastrop county several years back - I would routinely make green tea from their leaves and also made tea from the beans without needing to add sugar.  It's almost time to go collect some seed pods now!

Jon

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, I recently read an article regarding Tea made from the leaves, and several potential, beneficial compounds that are being researched/ evaluated.  "Pod Season" is in full swing here. Collected seed off a a few different Honey mesquite specimens around town, and off the tree out back for future endevors.. Like i mentioned earlier, the pods off it are really sweet and colorful, plus, its got a nice growth form, at least i think so, lol.. Still there's plenty more being shed from the tree currently.

Tucson hosts a grinding event where you pay a small fee to have gathered pods processed through a Hammer Mill.  DELEP, ( the Desert Legume Program)  and Native Seed Search, both also in Tucson, also host tasting /educational events, or sell a variety of products produced locally. 

[Tom in Tucson]

Why has the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) listed Prosopis palmeri as a noxious weed? I can't find any evidence to support this classification. If you look at some of the photos of this species by Sue Carnahan in it's native (and endemic) habitat of southern Baja California, you have to wonder. The blue-green leaves and bright yellow flowers would make a useful addition to the limited pallet of trees and shrubs available to those doing landscaping in the arid southwest.

 Hi 94°, Lo 68° - over 2" of rain from violent thunderstorms  

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/11/2018 at 6:01 AM, Tom in Tucson said:

Why has the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) listed Prosopis palmeri as a noxious weed? I can't find any evidence to support this classification. If you look at some of the photos of this species by Sue Carnahan in it's native (and endemic) habitat of southern Baja California, you have to wonder. The blue-green leaves and bright yellow flowers would make a useful addition to the limited pallet of trees and shrubs available to those doing landscaping in the arid southwest.

 Hi 94°, Lo 68° - over 2" of rain from violent thunderstorms  

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Also curious myself, Didn't see the Ag Dept's listing on it. Agree with you Tom, looks like a very distinct tree. Foliage is interesting enough.. I think sometimes the Ag Dept lumps all species of a given Genus which either does, or may contain invasive /aggressive species together, and doesn't trial things on a species by species basis like DELEP does.

I sometimes wonder if they'd start a region-wide quarantine if a bird somehow dropped seed that then sprouted on a hill just north of the border, lol 

[greysrigging]

Mesquite is classed as a weed of national significance in Australia and in all States and Territories one is required to report and / or destroy infestations. On the arid almost treeless Pilbara coast in North Western Australia, it can be seen around old abandoned homesteads, cemeteries etc. Was planted as a shade ornamental by the early settlers in the remote Outback....often was the only tree to survive the harsh desert conditions.

 https://nt.gov.au/environment/weeds/A-Z-list-of-weeds-in-the-NT/mesquite

[Fusca]

  On 7/11/2018 at 4:17 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

"Pod Season" is in full swing here.

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I decided to go ahead and see about collecting some pods from local trees today, but only about a handful were ripe enough.  Looks like another couple of weeks wait.  The Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon) fruits were ripe however!  At least my collection efforts were rewarded!  Love these fruits!  I will try and germinate a couple of seeds as well.

Jon

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/14/2018 at 1:14 AM, Fusca said:

I decided to go ahead and see about collecting some pods from local trees today, but only about a handful were ripe enough.  Looks like another couple of weeks wait.  The Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon) fruits were ripe however!  At least my collection efforts were rewarded!  Love these fruits!  I will try and germinate a couple of seeds as well.

Jon

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Funny you mention Texas persimmon, been trying to find a source for fresh seed. Birds always get to local trees i have access to before do. 

[Fusca]

  On 7/14/2018 at 1:28 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Funny you mention Texas persimmon, been trying to find a source for fresh seed. Birds always get to local trees i have access to before do. 

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I'd be happy to send you some seeds.  Send me a PM with your address and I'll get some off to you. 

Jon

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/14/2018 at 9:10 PM, Fusca said:

I'd be happy to send you some seeds.  Send me a PM with your address and I'll get some off to you. 

Jon

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Appreciate the offer Jon, will PM you shortly.