A large, fast-growing ash from Mexico with glossy, dark green leaves that stay on through most Phoenix winters. It creates deep, cooling shade, but it needs room and regular water to look its best.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the tree schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It needs regular water through the whole year. Water deeply and less often; shallow watering keeps the roots near the surface, where they cause trouble.
Pruning
Raise the canopy gradually as it grows, and build a strong, well-spaced branch structure while the tree is young. A tree this size eventually needs a certified arborist for pruning.
Cold
Hard frosts can strip the leaves and kill back young twigs. Damaged trees usually leaf out again quickly in spring.
How our designers use it
Large-scale shade
On big properties, it can shade a lawn, play area or broad section of the yard where a smaller tree could not.
Distance from hardscape
When we do use it, we keep it well away from the house, pool, walls and driveways to leave room for its roots and canopy.
A lighter alternative
On smaller lots, we usually steer toward a tree that stays within the space, such as Live Oak, Evergreen Elm or Chinese Pistache.
Good to know
Around the pool
Its size, leaf and seed drop, and strong surface roots make it a poor choice near a pool. Roots can lift decking and coping.
Size
This is not a tree for small yards or narrow side yards. It grows large and casts dense shade that can thin out turf and plants beneath it.
Roots
Buttress roots of mature trees can heave sidewalks, patios and driveways. Plant it well back from any paving.
