We put in a plumb tree recently. It's the kind that doesn't produce fruit I think, but it's pretty.

CAROB

That's a tough one since you want low litter and a canopy look. Lyseloma's are pretty cool trees, but this time of year the blossom drop makes them messy. You're yard is too small for any kind of mesquite so please don't let them talk you into it -- the canopies of a mature tree run 50 - 60 feet wide and they're heck on foundations. Paloverde's are pretty litter intensive this time of year. Sweet acacia's have a pretty canopy shape but are thorny and cause allergies. Perhaps something in the mimosa family?

Fruitless Olive, no litter, moderately fast growth

Thevetia peruviana, very nice little tree

I went to this desert tree link and it looks like the following may be good trees to look into:

Coolibah (Eucalyptus microtheca)
Mexican Redbud (Cercis mexicana)
Monk's Pepper Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis)

I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with these and what were the pros vs. cons with them.

The plum tree looks gorgeous but does it grow well in Phoenix? And with the Carob tree, I heard it can be smelly. I was considering a mimosa type tree but read that they can be invasive and populate easily. I'd hate to get a fruitless olive tree and then in a few years find that it's not fruitless. And the Thevetia peruviana is beautiful but I read it's poisonous which I can't have in the yard due to the kids.

Here is a link that might be useful: Desert Shade Tree Guide

My carob does not smell.

phxplantaddict, I read that it is the male species of the carob that emits a similar scent to semen.

The two fruitless olives to consider are "Swan Hill" or "Wilson's" (Olea europaea wilsonii). They will be labeled and although you may see flowers, they don't produce viable pollen so no fruit. You might also consider Mastic, a small/medium sized evergreen tree.

Several of the trees you mentioned above are deciduous (loses leaves in winter), which may or may not be a consideration for you.

Eucalyptus microtheca - grows to 30 or 40 feet tall and wide.
Mexican redbud - this tree is deciduous and may be difficult to find
Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus) - spikes of purple, pink or white flowers are followed by small BB sized seeds. Deciduous in winter.
Texas redbud - deciduous

Here is a link to a site that has over 600 plants and a great search feature that will help you with your tree choices.

Here is a link that might be useful: Water Wise Landsaping

plant a female

Exactly where in Phoenix? Some areas are much more susceptible to freeze than others.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1511199/desert_willow_arizona_native_tree.html

Desert willow is pretty, shapely (sort of vase shaped) but has flower drop. It's fast growing (from 5 gallon to 15 feet high in a couple of years), and tolerates lawn watering better than any of the other desert trees. It also survives hard freezes better than most desert trees.

Make sure you select the ones YOU want, with a single trunk and good structure. Prune it frequently and lightly to keep a tangled mess from developing in the interior and in a few years you have a lovely tree.

We have a trio of them on one side of the house, planted from 5-gallon containers last year, and they are over 7 feet high already.

lazygardens, near 67th Ave and Olive in Glendale.

I really do like the look of the Desert willow but I wasn't sure if it could handle lawn conditions so I've had my sights set on a Chitalpa and a Texas Redbud for now.

Chitalpa is a good tree too - lovely flowers and as a hybrid, it's sterile. The desert willow is one of the parent of it.

They couldn't find a Texas redbud so I decided to get the Monk's Pepper tree instead of it. Any cons to having one or the Chitalpa for that matter?

I would second the carob, After seeing the one phxplantaddict has in his backyard, omg, i'm jealous. Still, my favorite is the Sissoo. Apparently someone here at GWeb thinks sissoo trees are "demon trees" that become invasive and uncontrolable. That hasn't been my experience.

About the carob and phxplantaddict's comment that the male carob tree emits a scent similar to semen, perhaps Monica Lewinski was just sitting under a male carob tree with that pretty dress, and some carob juice just dripped on the dress. ok, i'm joking... hmm I better re-read the posting rules in case political jokes are taboo.

Chitalpas are kinda leggy Basically slightly larger desert willow flowers on a tree with leaves that resemble an oleander.