Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Chilean Mesquite
Chilean Mesquite is a fast-growing shade tree for big Valley yards. It grows into a wide, umbrella-shaped tree about 30 to 40 feet tall and wide, with fine, dark green leaves. It keeps some of its leaves through winter, takes full sun and reflected heat, and gets by on little water once rooted. In spring its yellow flower spikes draw bees.
Best for: fast shade over a large yard, desert-style landscapes in full sun and reflected heat, parks and big open lots, and bees in spring.
Chilean Mesquite grows fast into an umbrella-shaped canopy about 30 to 40 feet wide. It makes a big shade canopy over a patio or yard. Space trees in a group about 20 feet apart.
It takes full sun and reflected heat off walls and paving, and once rooted it needs very little water. It does best in desert soil that drains well, and alkaline soil is fine.
It is a common shade tree for parks, large lots, streets and parking medians. Yellow-green flower spikes in spring draw native bees and other pollinators.
Too much water grows fast, weak wood and shallow roots, and overwatered trees are the ones that blow over in monsoon storms. Surface roots can lift sidewalks, so keep it back from paving and walls. It is not a lawn tree, and its pods drop in summer.
- Trees in a group20 ft apart
Water deep and regular through the first year so it roots in. After that, taper off to a deep soak about once a month in summer, at the edge of the canopy. Frequent watering grows fast, weak wood and shallow roots, and those trees are the ones that fail in monsoon winds.
Young Chilean mesquites grow fast with crossing branches and several leaders. Train them early to one strong trunk with well-spaced main branches. On older trees, thin and raise the canopy and take off suckers.
Prune from late fall through winter, when the tree is resting, and finish well before monsoon season.
It needs little feeding in desert soil that drains well. At most, give it a light feeding when spring growth starts.
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 Chilean Mesquite get?
It usually grows about 30 to 40 feet tall and wide, with a wide, umbrella-shaped canopy. Trees that get a lot of water can grow much larger. Plan the space before you plant.
How fast does Chilean Mesquite grow?
It grows fast, and faster with more water, which is why people plant it. Pushing it with extra water grows weak wood, so let it grow at a steady pace.
Why do Chilean mesquites blow over in monsoon storms?
It is one of the trees most often blown over in Valley monsoons. Too much water grows fast top growth on weak wood and shallow roots. Deep, spaced-out watering, training when young, and thinning the canopy all help it stand.
How often should I water Chilean Mesquite?
Water deep and regular through the first year. After that, a deep soak about once a month in summer is plenty, and many trees need little beyond rain. Water at the edge of the canopy, not the trunk. It is not a lawn tree, since frequent watering grows weak wood.
Does Chilean Mesquite have thorns?
It varies from tree to tree. Thorns at the leaf bases range from none to about 3 inches, depending on the tree. Mesquites cross easily, so thorns can differ from tree to tree.
Are the seed pods messy?
Yes, they can be. Long, light brown pods ripen and drop in early summer, around July. Plant it where the summer drop is easy to rake or sweep up.
Can the roots damage sidewalks or walls?
Yes, they can. Chilean mesquite often grows shallow, spreading roots that can lift sidewalks and paving. Keep it well back from walls, driveways and irrigation lines. Deep, spaced-out watering pulls roots down.
How should I prune Chilean Mesquite?
Train it young to one strong trunk with well-spaced main branches. Prune in the cool months, from late fall through winter, and finish before monsoon season. On older trees, thin and raise the canopy to cut wind load.
How cold hardy is Chilean Mesquite?
It is hardy to about 15 to 20°F, which covers a normal Valley winter. Cold snaps below that can damage it.
Does Chilean Mesquite lose its leaves in winter?
It sheds part of them. It keeps some leaves through winter and sheds most of them, resting from about December to April. New leaves come out in late March or April, later than native mesquites.
Chilean Mesquite vs native mesquite, which is better?
Chilean grows faster, keeps some leaves in winter, and has fewer thorns on many trees. Native velvet mesquite drops all its leaves, grows deep roots, rarely blows over once established, and lives on rain. See our Native Mesquite page to compare.
Can Chilean Mesquite irritate skin?
It can for some people. The leaves can irritate skin, and some people react to the foliage and pollen. Wear sleeves and gloves when pruning if you are sensitive.
Chilean Mesquite for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Chilean Mesquite is a fast South American shade tree with a wide, umbrella canopy and fine, dark green leaves. It handles Valley heat and reflected sun on little water once rooted. Below is what to expect, from size and water to pruning, pods and how it compares with native 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 fast does Chilean Mesquite grow in Arizona?
It grows fast, and growth depends heavily on water, and trees given more water grow quicker. Steady, deep, spaced-out watering gives good growth with stronger wood than a tree pushed with frequent water.
How big does Chilean Mesquite get?
Plan for about 30 to 40 feet tall and wide, with a wide, umbrella-shaped canopy. Trees with plenty of water can get much larger. Space trees in a group about 20 feet apart.
How often do you water a Chilean Mesquite in Phoenix?
Water it deep and regular for the first year, then about once a month in summer once it is rooted. Water at the edge of the canopy so roots grow down and out. It should not be watered often, and it is not a lawn tree.
Why do mesquite trees fall over in monsoon storms?
Overwatered mesquites put on lots of top growth with weak wood and shallow roots. Chilean mesquite is one of the trees most often blown over in monsoon winds. Deep, spaced-out watering and good pruning when young help it stand.
Chilean Mesquite vs Native Mesquite
Chilean mesquite grows faster, keeps some leaves in winter and often has fewer thorns. Native velvet mesquite drops all its leaves, leafs out earlier in spring, grows deep roots and rarely blows over once established.
Is Chilean Mesquite evergreen?
It is only partly evergreen. It keeps some of its leaves through winter and sheds most, resting from about December to April. New growth comes in late March or April, later than the native mesquites.
Chilean mesquite, Argentine mesquite and crosses
Mesquites cross easily, and many trees sold as Chilean mesquite in the Valley are crosses with Argentine mesquite, and thorns and form can vary from tree to tree.
Chilean Mesquite flowers and bees
Yellow-green flower spikes open in spring, and they draw native bees and other pollinators. Seed pods follow and ripen in early summer.
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.