Q: Please advise if we can plant our hopseed bushes; foothills palo verde or desert museum palo verde; and βLeslie Royβ hybrid mesquites now. Weβre concerned the weather might still be too cold. Weβre thinking it might be better to wait for a few weeks, say third week of February. We live in Academy Village at Rincon Valley, southeast of Tucson, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet.
A: The cool part of the year is ideal for planting woody plants. They are dormant to some extent and less likely to experience transplant shock if the weather is cooler. The more time you allow the plant to become established in its new location before the summer heat begins, the better chance the plant will have to survive. Donβt put any fertilizer on them because you donβt want to stimulate new growth now. Also donβt prune them because it adds additional stress to the situation. If you need more information, the Arizona Community Tree Council has a nice and short tree-planting guide on their website.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions and photos may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
