Vitex or Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus

Vitex or Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus

Full Sun
Medium Water

Mature Size: 15-25’X 10-15’
Blooming Season: July-August
Flower Color: Blue-lavender.

Multibranched, spreading, large shrub or small tree that features distinctive dark green palmate leaves. Its low, open form can be pruned to grow more treelike to create a small and lovely shade tree. In mid-summer a profusion of 7-inch-long blue flower spikes creates a sweet aroma that attracts bumblebees. Does best in hot areas.

Lacebark Elm, Ulmus parviflora

Lacebark Elm, Ulmus parviflora

Full Sun
Medium Water

Mature Size: 40’X 40’

So called because of the patchy mosaic bark on their trunks as they mature, Lacebark Elms are moderate in size and growth rate with a majestic form that offers plenty of cool shade. With elm beetle-resistant leaves and no tendency to form a forest of weedy seedlings, this elm is a long-lived asset best planted in broad, shallow basins that capture rainwater.

Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis

Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis

Full Sun
Medium Water

Mature Size: 40’X 30’
Blooming Season: Mid- to Late-Spring
Flower Color: Reddish

A wonderful shade tree when mature, the Chinese Pistache can handle hot, dry desert con- ditions because it roots deeply. Its glossy dark leaves put on a delightful fall show turning bright gold, orange or crimson. (Wait to se- lect your tree in autumn if red foliage  is important.) The pea-sized red fruit of female trees add color in fall. Young trees may have a slightly awkward form when young, but the canopy fills out gracefully as trees mature. Tolerant of virtually all soil conditions except soggy clay.

Oak, Quercus spp.

Oak, Quercus spp.

Full Sun
Medium Water

Mature Size: 25-60’X 15-60’

Many species of oak grow well through- out most of New Mexico. Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) is a moderate-sized tree that’s native from Southern Colorado through the canyons and foothills of New Mexico and Arizona. It grows slowly to 30 feet tall, sometimes taller when water is available. Most other oaks grow taller, including Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), which can reach 40 feet, and Shumard  Oak (Quercus shumardii), which can reach 60 feet with a 60-foot spread. Most oaks have lobed leaves that turn from dark green to yellow-orange in the fall.

Golden Raintree, Koelreuteria paniculata

Golden Raintree, Koelreuteria paniculata

Full Sun
Medium Water

Mature Size: 25’X 25’
Blooming Season: Early summer
Flower Color: Yellow

The dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy of Golden Raintree is dense enough to substantially cool the air in summer, but bright enough to allow a wide range of groundcovers to share space and water below. Rust-colored paper lantern seed husks add contrast to the yellow gold fall foliage. This is a great tree for shading a driveway or streetside parking.