Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Argentine King Mesquite
Argentine King Mesquite is a selection of Argentine mesquite, a fast South American shade tree for big desert yards. It grows upright and spreading, about 30 to 40 feet tall and often wider than it is tall. It keeps most of its fine leaves through winter, takes full sun and reflected heat, and needs little water once rooted. Greenish yellow flower spikes open in spring.
Best for: big summer shade over a large yard or lot, hot spots with full sun and reflected heat, low-water desert landscapes, and bees in spring.
Argentine mesquite grows fast into a large shade tree about 30 to 40 feet tall, and its canopy can spread 40 to 60 feet or more. It suits big yards and open lots. Space trees at least 20 feet apart.
It takes full sun and reflected heat off walls and paving. After the first year it needs little to no extra water, and it grows in most soils that drain well.
Greenish yellow flower spikes open in spring and draw native bees and other pollinators. Beige seed pods about 3 to 5 inches long follow and ripen in July.
It is not a tree for small yards or lawns. Too much water grows a big crown on weak roots, and those trees can blow over in monsoon storms. Pods drop in July, so plan for a summer cleanup.
- Trees in a group20 ft or more apart
Right after planting, soak it every 1 to 2 days in summer, or every 3 to 4 days in the cooler months. By the second month, aim for about once a week in summer, and keep regular deep soaks going for about 3 years. Once it is established, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep at the canopy edge about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer, and about monthly in winter.
Take off the nursery stake at planting, and stake the tree only if it cannot hold itself up or sits in a windy spot. Use two stakes outside the root ball with soft ties, and leave a little sway to build a stronger trunk. Remove them in about a year. Mesquites grow top-heavy, so many need stakes the first year.
Stake and train it young to a straight trunk with well-spaced branches. As it matures, raise the canopy and remove suckers and water sprouts. Remove no more than a quarter of the canopy in a year, and never strip the inner branches so leaves are left only at the tips.
Mesquites that get too much water grow fast and weak, and they are the ones that break or tip over in monsoon storms. Keep watering deep and infrequent.
Birds carry desert mistletoe from tree to tree, and mesquite is a common host. Look for it in winter. Remove it by cutting the branch at least a foot below where it attaches.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Argentine King Mesquite get?
Argentine mesquite grows about 30 to 40 feet tall. The canopy often spreads 40 to 60 feet or more, and old trees can get much wider. Plan on a large yard.
How fast does it grow?
It grows fast, and how fast depends a lot on water. Overwatering grows a big crown on weak roots, so steady, deep, spaced-out watering gives a stronger tree.
How often should I water Argentine mesquite?
Water regularly through the first year. After that it needs little to no extra water. In summer, an occasional deep soak at the edge of the canopy is plenty.
Can I plant it in my lawn?
It is not a lawn tree. Lawn watering is frequent and shallow, which grows weak wood and a big crown on shallow roots. Plant it where you can water it deep and not often.
Does Argentine King Mesquite have thorns?
Thorns vary on Argentine mesquite. Some trees have none, and others have sharp thorns up to about 2 inches long, with young growth the thorniest. Wear gloves when you prune.
Does it lose its leaves in winter?
It keeps most of its leaves. It sheds some through the cool months and drops the old leaves in spring as the new ones come in.
Are the pods messy?
Twisted, beige pods about 3 to 5 inches long ripen and fall in July, so they can be messy. Plan for a summer cleanup in patios and walkways.
How cold hardy is Argentine mesquite?
It is hardy to about 15 to 20°F. That covers a normal Valley winter, but a hard freeze below that can damage it.
How do I keep it from blowing over in a monsoon?
Stake it young and train it to a straight trunk with well-spaced main branches. Water deep and not often so roots grow down. Thin a thick canopy so wind can pass through.
Argentine vs Chilean mesquite?
Both are fast South American shade trees with similar cold hardiness, about 15 to 20°F. They cross easily, and many trees sold in the Valley are crosses of the two.
Does it attract bees?
Yes. The spring flower spikes draw native bees and other pollinators.
Can mesquite leaves irritate skin?
Some people react to mesquite leaves or pollen. If you are sensitive, wear long sleeves and gloves when you prune.
Argentine King Mesquite for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Argentine King Mesquite is a selection of Argentine mesquite, a fast shade tree from South America with an upright, spreading canopy. It handles Valley sun and reflected heat on little water once rooted. Below is what to expect: size, water, winter leaves, pods, training and how it compares with Chilean mesquite.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does an Argentine mesquite get in Arizona?
About 30 to 40 feet tall, with a canopy that often spreads 40 to 60 feet or more. It is a tree for big yards and open lots, not small spaces. Space trees 20 feet or more apart.
How to water Argentine mesquite in Phoenix
Water regularly the first year. After that it needs little to no extra water. An occasional deep summer soak at the edge of the canopy keeps roots growing down, while frequent watering grows weak wood.
Is Argentine mesquite evergreen?
It is mostly evergreen, keeping most of its leaves through winter. It sheds some in the cool months, and drops the old leaves in spring as new ones come in.
Argentine mesquite pods
Twisted, beige pods about 3 to 5 inches long ripen in July and drop around the same time. Plan for a summer cleanup where the canopy hangs over a patio or walkway.
Training a young Argentine mesquite
Young trees grow twisted and uneven. Stake them and train them to a straight trunk with well-spaced main branches. That early work gives a stronger tree that stands up better to monsoon wind.
Argentine vs Chilean Mesquite
Both are fast shade trees from South America, hardy to about 15 to 20°F. They cross easily, so many trees sold in the Valley are crosses, and thorns and form vary from tree to tree.
Argentine mesquite flowers and bees
Greenish yellow flower spikes open in spring and draw native bees and other pollinators. The pods follow and ripen in midsummer.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.