Trees for Tucson recently offered me a deal I couldn't refuse: desert trees for just $5 a pop. How could I pass that up?
At the time, I was browsing a recent sale put on by Tucson Organic Gardeners. So I bought two native mesquites. The catch? I have to find somewhere to plant them, close to the house to provide summer shade.
Each year, Tucson Clean & Beautiful's Trees for Tucson program offers TEP customers two to four trees, depending on the age of their home. There are five varieties, and each normally costs $8 for a five-gallon tree. You must agree to plant the tree within 15 feet of your house, on the east, west or south side of your home.
- Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis (deciduous)
- Blue Palo Verde Parkinsonia florida (deciduous)
- Catclaw Acacia, Acacia greggii (semi-deciduous)
- Velvet Mesquite, Prosopis velutina (deciduous)
- Red Push Pistache (deciduous)
Cost: Even at $8, it's still a ganga deal.
Why: Besides shading your house, trees reduce the radiant energy absorbed and stored by walls, pavement and gravel.
Details: Download an application at treesfortucson.org or 791-3109. They deliver but there may be a waiting period.Β Your home must be in the TEP service area (including parts of Catalina, Green Valley, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita and Vail). Include your TEP account number.
Not a TEP customer? Trees for Tucson also partners with Trico Electric Cooperative. Trico members may obtain up to three trees at $15 each through trico.coop/index.php/account/tree-program or call 744-2944.
