Mesquite Tree Types Compared
The short answer
Native Mesquite roots deep and rarely blows over once established, but it has thorns and drops its leaves in winter. The South American mesquites, like Chilean, Argentine King and Cooperi, grow fastest and keep some leaves in winter, but they root shallower and blow over more often. For shade without thorns, look at Thornless Texas Honey, Leslie Roy or Cooperi.
Side by side
| Mesquite | Size | Thorns | Winter leaves | Cold hardy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native (Velvet) Mesquite | 20 to 30 ft tall and wide | Yes, small and sharp | Drops them | About 0 to 5°F |
| Screwbean Mesquite | 15 to 30 ft, often 15 to 20 ft | Yes, small, in pairs | Drops them | About 0°F |
| Texas Honey Mesquite | 20 to 35 ft tall, up to 40 ft wide | Yes, sharp, in pairs | Drops them | About 0°F |
| Thornless Texas Honey Mesquite | 20 to 35 ft tall, up to 40 ft wide | None | Drops them | About 0°F |
| Leslie Roy Mesquite | 25 to 30 ft tall and wide | None | Keeps many | About 10°F |
| Chilean Mesquite | 30 to 40 ft tall and wide | Varies, none to about 3 in | Keeps some | About 15 to 20°F |
| Chilean Fuente Mesquite | 30 to 40 ft tall and wide | Varies | Keeps some | About 15 to 20°F |
| Argentine King Mesquite | 30 to 40 ft tall, 40 to 60 ft wide | Varies, up to about 2 in | Keeps most | About 15 to 20°F |
| Cooperi Mesquite | 25 to 30 ft tall, about 40 ft wide | None | Keeps some | About 20°F |
All of them take full sun and get by on low water once rooted. Box trees (30 inch box and larger) come on a bigger truck. Large specimen curbside delivery is one flat fee by ZIP, $50 to $75 in the Valley, and it replaces the regular delivery fee. Large specimens are curbside delivery only. Plan on having your landscaper or installer move it into place.
Choose Native Mesquite if...
- You want a tree that roots deep and rarely blows over once established.
- You want light, filtered shade and a tree that feeds bees, birds and other wildlife.
- Your yard gets hard frost. It handles about 0 to 5°F.
Choose Chilean, Chilean Fuente or Argentine King if...
- You want the fastest, widest shade over a big yard.
- You want a tree that keeps some green leaves through winter.
- You can keep it well back from sidewalks and walls, and water it deep and not often.
Choose Thornless Texas Honey, Leslie Roy or Cooperi if...
- People walk and play under the tree and you want no thorns.
- You want a smaller tree for a home lot. Leslie Roy grows about 25 to 30 feet.
- You want winter leaves (Leslie Roy, Cooperi) or more cold hardiness (Thornless Texas Honey, about 0°F).
Choose Screwbean Mesquite if...
- You want a smaller native tree, often 15 to 20 feet, with shaggy bark and coiled pods.
- You can give it occasional deep soaks in the hot months, since it does not live on rain alone in the low desert.
Questions people ask
Which mesquite trees have no thorns?
Thornless Texas Honey Mesquite, Leslie Roy and Cooperi. Chilean and Argentine mesquites vary from tree to tree, from no thorns to sharp ones.
Which mesquite is least likely to blow over in a monsoon?
Native velvet mesquite. It roots deep, and established trees rarely blow over. Chilean mesquite is the tree most often blown over in Valley monsoons.
Why do mesquites fall over in storms?
Light, frequent watering grows fast, weak wood on shallow roots, and a thick canopy catches wind. Water deep at the edge of the canopy, not often, and thin the canopy before monsoon season.
Can mesquite roots lift a sidewalk?
Chilean mesquite often grows shallow, spreading roots that can heave sidewalks and paving. Native velvet mesquite is deep rooted and rarely shows surface roots.
Which mesquite stays green in winter?
Argentine King keeps most of its leaves, and Chilean, Cooperi and Leslie Roy keep some. Native, Texas Honey and Screwbean drop their leaves in winter.
Are mesquite pods messy?
Most mesquites drop pods in summer, so plan on some raking under the canopy. Velvet, honey and screwbean pods are edible, and many people leave some for wildlife.
Shop these plants
Related guide: best shade trees for Valley yards.