I have a pomegranate tree that has lovely fall colors, then drops all the leaves. The naked tree is pretty too! I also like the pomegranates.

Also Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) is nice. Nice red leaves in the winter.

If you click on the FAQ at the top of this page, then go to the FAQ about trees for backyards- there is some nice information there too.

Susie

I agree with the bird lady from mesa, although I'm not familiar with the pomegrante. I think the best time to plant for most anything, trees included, is to avoid just before summer. All living things need time to acclimate and mature before the blast furnace hits. I prefer to plant trees in the fall.

You might also consider the Chinese Pistache for fall color, last fall we planted a Shamel Ash which will become a nice large shade tree, it's deciduous. Something similar to the jacaranda but has orange flowers is the Royal Poinciana. Swan Hill fruitless olive will make a great shade tree. Like the bird lady said, check the FAQ's, and also pick up a free booklet from a local nursery called Landscape Plants for the ARizona Desert. It has pictures and good info re shape of tree, growth rate, litter potential, etc.

The Royal P will accept planting in early summer. It loves the heat. Baker's will probably have some ready for sale by mid to late-June. I managed to post a picture of one in the Gallery section of this forum.

Good luck, HTH.
Mary

I had actually read through the FAQ, I just wasn't sure if there might be other suggestions. :)

The Royal Poinciana is fabulous! I love it. I'm a bit worried about the cold tolerance, from the threads here I was reading, but I think I'll start a separate thread to see how everyone's made it through the winter.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!