Neltuma velutina, commonly known as velvetmesquite, is a small to medium-sized tree.It is a legume adapted to a dry, desert climate. Velvetmesquite care is also low maintenance, with plants tolerant of a range of conditions and unfazed by most insects and disease. The small to large tree or shrub that can approach 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 m.) in height. It is a slow growingtree that may be found from central and... Gardeners should consider growingVelvetMesquite because of their remarkable ability to thrive in dry climates. They produce a dense shade perfect for those hot summer days. They do not require additional nitrogen as they can fix atmospheric nitrogen themselves. Velvetmesquitetreegrows to 25 feet tall with a 35 foot or greater spread. Its asymmetrical shape, multiple trunk and wide spreading crown are not conducive for use in small, space restricted areas. mesquite-tree-chilean-049 The Chilean mesquite is fast growing in areas with irrigation. mesquite-tree-chilean-045 They have an open, spreading canopy, which is their appeal for landscapes. Velvetmesquite is is a woody perennial that grows as a single- or multi-trunk tree or shrub with rough dark-colored bark (2). The branches of this plant grow horizontally or toward the ground. The velvetmesquite is a fast growing medium sized tree with thorns that matures up to 40 feet tall and wide. The fern-like leaves and fruit have short dense hairs that give them the appearance of velvet. Velvetmesquite (Prosopis velutina).Blue paloverde treesgrow in sandy washes on the lowest portion of the bajada and out into the valley. They grow larger than the foothill paloverde, and the branches have a bluish-green color. Velvetmesquites are so named because of the tiny hairs that cover young trees. They are the most common type of mesquitetree found throughout Arizona. Often multi-trunked, they are found growing in dry grasslands or near streams. Texas honey mesquite is a popular urban landscape tree as well. In the urban areas of southern Arizona, you will also find an abundance of South American mesquites that fall under the common misnomer of “Chilean mesquite” and they fill city streets and neighborhood yards. Native velvetmesquitetree on left, non-native mesquitetree on right.[Mesquites of different species readily hybridize with one another via their cross-pollinated offspring]. You can count on these local native plant nursery’s native mesquites to grow true to form. Velvetmesquite is a beautiful, brown-crowned tree, with heavily textured grey-grown bark and undulating arching branches with minutely hairy, blue green leaves. It can grow 60 feet tall, 100 feet wide and up to 6 feet in diameter. The VelvetMesquiteTree ( Prosopis velutina ) is a native desert tree found primarily in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, prized for its resilience, ecological value, and distinctive appearance. This deciduous tree typically grows with a spreading canopy that...
