Trees for You

• Dig a hole 1-foot deep and 2 to 3 feet wide. Dig deeper if you hit caliche, a hard, compact gray soil that may be impenetrable to tree roots. Fill the hole with water and let it drain for several hours. If it doesn't drain, dig a deeper hole.
• Carefully cut the bottom off of the plastic container and down the sides leaving a little plastic attached in the middle. To protect the root ball, don't roll or shake the container or try to pull out the tree. Place the tree, still in its container in the hole, put some soil around the container. Finish cutting the plastic container and dispose of it.
• It is not necessary to mix in mulch with the soil, although this will help reduce weeds and maintain moisture. If you use mulch, use a ratio of one part mulch to three parts of original soil. Replace any rocks or caliche from the dig with good top soil. Apply 5 to 6 inches of mulch on the surface to keep the soil from drying out. Do not compact the soil; let the water settle it.
• Create a 3-foot-wide tree well to hold enough water to ensure the entire root ball is soaked. Water daily for the first week, then every other day until the tree is established. Disturbance to the root ball during planting may make some leaves fall off. Continue to water according to the above schedule, and new leaves will replace those that have fallen during planting.
• South-wall plantings are restricted to deciduous trees, such as the desert willow and palo verde.

• Water newly-planted trees daily for the first week and then every other day until the tree is well established. Reduce water in the winter when trees are dormant.
• Avoid staking trees, if possible. Movement is necessary for the tree to develop strength. If you do stake the tree, allow the tree to move several inches. Make adjustments as the tree grows. Remove the stake as soon as the tree is firmly established.
• Avoid pruning lower branches for several months. These lower branches help the tree develop strength and even the weight distribution. You can prune the suckers that sprout on the lower trunk or near the soil to prevent them from robbing the tree of water and nutrients.
• As the tree grows, lower branches may be trimmed to get more height, but only when the trunk gets thicker and more stout. Don't trim branches too high too quickly as this will expose the trunk to sunlight causing it to burn and impairing its ability to transport water and nutrients.
• Protect the trunk with rabbit proof barriers.
• On newly planted trees, don't hesitate to prune the tree if it has a lot of new growth. Newly-planted trees are more prone to blow over during monsoon storms and this type of pruning may help keep the tree upright.
• Always allow desert trees (mesquite, palo verde and desert willow) to develop 2-3 main trunk branches. Trees with single trunks are more prone to wind damage.
  Multiple trunks and low branching is natural and contributes to a strong tree and ideal form.
• Mesquite and palo verde trees are low water-use trees. However, if you want them to thrive and attain a larger size, they will need regular watering April through July during the growing season until the monsoon season arrives.
• During the first year, new trees should be watered 2-3 times a week during the hot months. These trees have a small root system and can't store much water. Frequent watering expands the root system in the first 2-3 growing seasons, allowing for more water retention and reducing the need to water as often.
• Safely prune trees to decrease winter shading.

• Planting trees near homes poses very little fire danger.
• Make sure you remove flammable ground-level debris near your home to reduce fire risk.
• If you reside in a rural area with wildfire concerns, it is important to maintain ground-level shrubs and grasses.
• Set low-profile plants closer to your home and keep them more widely spaced in small irregular clusters instead of large groupings. Utilize native plants whenever possible.
• Do not use any type of bark or other decorative products for mulching that could dry out and potentially become fuel for a fire.
• If you're looking for an alternative to grass, consider using ground-cover type plants. These fast growing, low profile succulents provide texture and color but also help with soil erosion and weeds. They are also an effective fire-preventing barrier.
• Prune trees when necessary, keeping branches off roof tops. Pruning helps reduce potential fuel for fires and is essential for maintaining a healthy tree and promoting vigorous growth.
• Rake up all debris regularly around trees and bushes. Remove any annuals or perennials planted close to your home when they go to seed or become dry.
• If grass is part of your landscaping, keep it mowed short.
• Water regularly, as moisture is the best fire prevention.

Learn more about fire-resistant landscaping here:

Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management

Fire-Resistant Landscaping, University of Arizona

National Fire Protection Association

Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council