El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-12
HARDY TREES AND PLANTS FOR FL PAs0
By Robert A. Harris City Park Commissioner.

small areas on which trees have been
! planted.
Deciduous Species.
The Arizona ash Russian mulberry,
! and honey locust are among the larger
! of our most drouth resistant trees
as concerns size, rate of growth, and
resistant qualities. Both, also respond
well to increased irrigation. The writer
has in mind Russian mulberry trees
! 10 inches in diameter with remarkable
| spread of limb, that have been grow
| ing for at least 10 years without irri-
! cation. The honey locust grows some
what slower than either of the above,
! though it has correspondingly greater
/ drouth enduring qualities. With prop
er handling on the mesas it requires
J but a small amount of irrigation while
f., in cultivated, alluvial soils it does fairly
well without any watering. The desert
| willow (Chilopsis linearis) which is
not a willow, but a near relative of the
catalpa, can also get along with little
! irrigation. In it's native habitat it is
seldom symmetrical in form and is
confined almost exclusively to sandy
washes of high mesas and foot hills,
but under cultivation il becomes
graceful tree quite suggestive Of the
well-known pepper, though requiring
much lsss water.
Native Trees.
The native species, including mes
quite (ProsOpis velutina), bagote (Par-
kinsonia aculeata), wild China berry
(Sapindus DrummondiD. iron wood col
neya tesoto) and blue palo verde Ger
cidium TOrreyana), are easily the most
drouth resistant of our trees. Under
ordinary conditions, none of these re-,
Quire any irrigation after being estab-
liShed, though, as might be expected,
all do better with an occasional water
ing. On the mesas especially. these
species should be planted abundantly,
Besides being useful the mesquite be-
comes a tree of considerable size and
beauty with a little attention in the
way of pruning and watering. The
bagote, which is a native Of southern
Arizona, was introduced on the univer-
sity grounds some years ago, and is
now spreading to the surrounding mesas.
Il is q more rapid grower than the mes
yuite, though its wood is of less value
1t appears TO do nearly as we'll under
mesa conditions with limited irrigation
as with moderate irrigation, and grows
remarkably well with Scanty soil
Though the writer has never seen it suf-
for from droUth, 1t is often compelled
to lay by for a time on account OF
dry weather
Its wealth of yellow flowers. together
with the graceful foliage especially when
young render it a snowy plant in the
spring. In cultivated areas lit should
be grown with caution, as it has mani
Tested a tendency to spread by means
of its abundant and Yiable seeds on
irrigated lands, which might become
a serious matter in meadows and or
chards. The blue palO verde is equally
beautiful; it is more compact in habit
of growth, and supplies considerably
81 he
period of blOssoming is shorter than
that of. the bagote, and its foliage is
also less conspicuous. This variety is
more drouth resistant, however, but on
the other hand of less rapid growth The
ironwood or arbol de hero is similar
to the blue palo verde. though perhaps
less attractive. The wild China berry
IS being planted to some extent in GER
tain Of our Arizona towns as a street
tree. While rather slow growing it
is very resistant to heat and drouth
With care IL becomes a beautiful tree,
resembling the native walnut in appear
ance, though smaller.
Evergreen Species
Among droutn resistant evergreens
are the desert gum Eucalyptus rudis),
red box Eucalyptus polyanthema),
Arizona cypress. Mission olive, and Aus
tralian beefwOod (Casuarina sIricta).
be grown successfully with so little ir
rigation as the desert gum and the red
box, though these have close rivals in
the Australian beefwood, Arizona ey-
press, and olive. The desert gum is an
especially striking tree by virtue Of
IT'S upright symmetrical form. and dark
green foliage, which are in contrast with
the duller cOlorS and spreading habits
OF our native species The writer has
grown a few of these trees with sue
cess for three years with but four of
five irrigations annually these being
given from April to July inclusive AT
no time, however. have these trees been
injured by drouth. though often they
have been inactive for q time.
The more arid appearing red box is
at least equally resistant to drouthy
conditions. though less hardy with re-
ference TO frost. Little is known as yet
about the Australian beefwood, but
thus far. IT has proved extremely re-
sistant TO heat and aridity. besides
withstandiRg II degrees of frost with
slight injury. 1t is also said TO flourish
IN alkaline soils During the past sum
mer on the university grounds young
plants of this species made growthS of
five to seven feet. while a badly treated
plant of two years growth is now 10 /
feet high.
Both the olive and the Arizona cypress !
rank high among Ornamenttals, and |
both endure considerable frost, the lat I
Ter in particular. besides extreme heat |
and drouth. 1t is quite possible that |
the olive can be grown successfully on !
the better class of our mesa soils with |
little or no irrigation, which matter Is
being given attention now II one has |
moderate and certain supply OF wa /
ter, such as may be had with a small !
gasoline pumping plant or windmill |
10 the above species may be added the !
graceful pepper. Canary palm, blue PAIN !
(Erythea armata). and windmill palm
(Chamaerops excelsa). the two latter OF /
which are slow growing. but extremely (;
tolerant TO arid conditions.
Vines.
Not alone do woody climbers add |
beauty to a home. but they greatly
modify our extremes of summer neat
and light. This is especially true Wheh /
the newly set trees about ones nome
grounds are as yet too small TO do more
than make a show of green among I
the more resistant as well as desirapIe !
of our numerous woody twiners are the
Virginia creeper or ''five-leaf ivy, All /
iona grape Wits arizonica), SILK vine
(Periploca graeca). Bignonia IWeeolaha'
and japanese or Boston ivy (Ampelopsls