Q: I have a big mesquite tree that we planted in our front yard about 30 years ago and it has looked good except for the mistletoe, which we trim off every year.
Now the bark is peeling off. Do you know why thatβs happening and is here anything we can do to stop it?
A:Β Bark peeling is sometimes a sign of drought. We are in the midst of a 20-plus year drought and even tough mesquites will eventually succumb to that if not given supplemental water.
This is especially true of trees in our landscapes because they are often placed in situations where they would not grow naturally.
Peter L. Warren is the Forest Health Program Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Questions, photos and videos may be emailed toΒ tucsongardensage@gmail.com
