V&P Mesquite Varieties
The most popular tree, and probably the most diverse in their utility, we grow at V&P Nurseries is the Mesquite. These trees are very familiar to those of us that call the Deserts of the Southwest home, they are ubiquitous in our landscape and our culture. They make a truly beautiful shade tree addition to any urban or desert-adaptive environment.
It is worth noting that the mesquite is not particularly on the lowest end of the low water use spectrum, especially not in comparison to the other desert trees like the Ironwood or Palo Verde. In their natural setting, mesquites are usually found near washes or other areas synonymous with water. However, an established mesquite will require very little to no additional water than they get from the rainfall, even in our current drought.
At V&P we specialize in two varieties of mesquite trees, the Chilean Mesquite and the Rio Salado Mesquite. Both require the same conditions to flourish: Low-water use, full-sun, well-draining soil. All the “normal” things you would expect with a desert tree. They are, however, very different in their appearance and their growth habits. It’s these differences that make the two trees unique, in comparison to one another, and it’s these differences that will help you decide which one is more suited for your needs and/or the needs of your client.
The Chilean Mesquite, Prosopis chilensis, is typically only available as a standard or single-truck tree with a shade canopy. The Chilean Mesquite is a hybrid that has been bred to be thornless, which on some mesquite varieties can be quite large; This is usually a plus for most homeowners. One thing to note, because these trees are bred through cross-pollination, the Chilean Mesquite can occasionally produce thorns. To paraphrase Dr. Ian Malcom, “Nature will find a way”. These trees are characterized by their green foliage and dark brown, almost black, bark. The Chilean Mesquite’s foliage consists of fine, tightly packed leaflets that give the tree’s canopy a dense look, which is very desirous in a shade tree. This variety of mesquite will keep its leaves once established and produces little to no blooms or seed pods and can grow up to 30 feet tall.
Prosopis chilensis (Chilean mesquite)
Chileans fan their leaves out in sunlight to absorb sunlight, and close them at night to allow for photosynthesis to occur with limited interruptions to their energy production. This trait can also be found in ‘Sensitive’ houseplants, whose leaves recoil when touched or after the sun sets.
The Rio Salado Mesquite, Prosopis ‘Rio Salado’, is a trademarked variety exclusive to V&P Nurseries. Characterized by the same color foliage but slightly darker bark, this tree is mostly sold as a multi-truck tree but is also available as a standard. The Rio Salado Mesquite and grow upwards of 25-30 feet. It is also a thornless variety that produces little to no blooms. This mesquite does however produce seed pods with naturally inert seeds. This variety’s foliage consists of larger, more spread-out leaflets which give the tree a more showy, willowy, almost fern-like appearance; Its canopy is slightly less dense than that of the Chilean Mesquite.
