Desert Trees for Kids

10 years ago

Our backyard is currently a blank slate with lots of sun. I want to plant some trees for shade and eventually climbing for my kids.

I'm considering a couple Desert Museum Palo Verde trees or Australian Bottle Trees (Brachychiton populneus).

Will the Palo Verde's eventually be able to hold the weight of kids climbing it? I hesitate because I used to see branches snapping off them all the time when we lived in Phoenix, so I just worry about their strength. Any idea how old the tree would have to be before it would be strong enough?

We used to climb bottle trees all the time when I was young. I'm just not sure if it will grow fast enough. How fast do the Bottle Trees grow in comparison to Palo Verdes? I know the bottle trees produce those annoying pods, but I think I'm willing to live with them. ...I think. My real hesitation with this one is that it's not native, but that's all.

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Comments (6)

Mary Robbins
Original Author
10 years ago
We live in Tucson, btw.
User
10 years ago
"Will the Palo Verde's eventually be able to hold the weight of kids climbing it?"

Nope, not at any age. You could build a "treehouse" around its branches, but it's not a kid-proof tree.

Mesquite, properly watered, would work.
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blackcats13
10 years ago
Mary did you ever make any decisions about trees? We also have a mostly blank slate with lots of sun, but in Vegas. I'd love to have a tree or 2 to shade the house & the kids to climb. I just also don't want a lot of maintenance. Wonder if kid friendly trees & low maintenance are mutually exclusive :P
User
9 years ago
We live in Santa Fe and have a mature Tree of Heaven in our front yard. It is a beautiful tree and my kids love to climb it. It also provides great shade. The problem: it sends out rhizomes for new growth and they are all over the place. They are easy to dig out but it does take some labor.
blackcats13
9 years ago
Thanks Marjorie! I looked it up and it looks fantastic. Except for being invasive :( We are a bit .. um ... lazy lol and it would take up our entire yard in no time LOL
User
9 years ago
How about a treehouse next to or built around a tree?

Waiting for them to mature? The toddler would be in high school before most trees got to climbable size.