Planting trees in a barren land

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on November 28, 2009 at 12:22pm

Mary,
Read my post to your question about grass in the other thread you posted to first. http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/forum/topics/bermuda-grassarrrrr...

As for natives, they are tough and have little to worry about with them. Do not waste you time trying to kill the grass before you plant the trees, the outcome will be fine.

Baker's nursery is a good choice for trees and they seem like nice people. Many of the natives can be started from seed like the mesquites and grow pretty fast, look at the volunteers in Don Titmus's yard at the Bee Oasis for a great example. http://www.bakernurseryaz.com/

One of the nice things about native mesquite is it give shade, and pods to grind for flour that are much nicer tasting than the imported varieties. I would also say carob is nice, although not native. Nice shape, good carob pods to eat, and they do well here with a nice shade potential. I would think they would be easy to grow from seed also. Acacia do not feed you but grow really fast and give good shade quickly, depending on the variety.
So you have lots to choices and any nursery can most likely help you out if you want to go that route.

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Permalink Reply by Chris and Deanna on December 2, 2009 at 8:03am

Carob doesn't grow well from seed at all. Cuttings are the way to go. I have a very large carob tree and welcome anyone who'd like to take a cutting from it.

Chris
43rd Ave. and Northern Ave.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on December 2, 2009 at 10:16am

Did not know about the seed not growing well, just know there are a lot of them around here and they seem to grow well. Found this link for carob and it explains a lot of what you mentioned.

http://www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/info_sheet/carob_info.html

Would be interested in getting a cutting from your tree. Are you on the corner and what would be a good time to get one?

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Permalink Reply by Chris and Deanna on December 2, 2009 at 11:54am

Sure! You're welcome to take a cutting. Anyone is, for that matter.

Give us a call first, 623-202-4133. After 5pm is best.

We're in the neighborhood southwest of the intersection of 43rd Ave. and Northern Ave. We'll give you the address over the phone.

Chris and Deanna

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on December 2, 2009 at 12:01pm

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ann Zoeller on December 2, 2009 at 7:19pm

Chris and Deanna, we're practically neighbors and we'll have to meet. (43rd Ave and Orangewood). I'd love to see what you're doing in your yard.

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Permalink Reply by Chris and Deanna on December 3, 2009 at 6:05am

Sounds like we're very close! You're welcome to come by and look around. Phone number is in the above post or email at oldradiofan@gmail.com.

Chris and Deanna

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on November 29, 2009 at 4:40pm

If you get mesquite, be sure to get a sweet tasting mesquite like honey mesquite. All mesquite flour tastes "mesquite-y" but some tree varieties produce pods that have a sort of skunky taste. I think it would be worth the effort to get rid of the grass first, if you get bermuda roots intertwined with tree roots you have no way of digging it out... You could use your first year at the new house as an observing and planning time. I understand the urge to get right to work, but in the long run you may be happier to have taken the time to really think it over, make a great plan and get rid of that grass!

I second Chris's opinion about Baker's... it's a really great place and they'll be very helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ann Zoeller on November 30, 2009 at 6:52pm

thank you all for taking the time to share your wisdom. Rachel, I particularly need the reminder to study the land and plan accordingly.
ohhh, so much to learn

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on November 30, 2009 at 7:08pm

http://www.srpnet.com/electric/treeplant.aspx
This is an excellent link from Salt River about tree planting.

Here is a good general explantion of when to plant trees, coming up on the prime time for successful plantings.

http://landscaping.about.com/od/treecare/qt/when_plant_tree.htm

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Klein on November 29, 2009 at 7:08pm

You can still plant trees now, for a little bit longer before it is too cold. You need to plant soon, I would not wait but plant at leaste one tree now to celebrate your new home this year! You will always remeber that is the first tree you planted in your new home as it grows over the years. I always like the trees with edibles, I saw some wonderful 6 ft tall lime trees and fig trees today, black mission fig does well and tasty too. (Lowes in Chandler AZ ave and Ocotillo, not local grown but they are gaurenteed for one year they get them from California they say) I am not sure about natives, so much can grow in AZ you just have to get them established. Pomegrantes are soo pretty too.

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