“Light tip pruning forces branching when a shrub form is desired. Removal of suckers enhances tree form.” — from "Southwestern Landscaping with Native Plants" (1987) “Oaks need little pruning.

That’s desert willow, which gets its nickname from its long, narrow willow-like leaves. A fast-growing, small deciduous tree, chilopsis is native to desert washes of the southwest.

Since true willows love moist environments, “desert willow” is an oxymoron; C. linearis is not a true willow but a relative of the catalpa tree and a member of the trumpet vine family ...

I think desert willow is a great little tree. Despite what the native plant critics say, this tree will live easily 50 to 75 years, probably a lot longer under an organic program. Put the sod down ...

Pruning tree limbs requires some knowledge and finesse. I recommend against pruning a branch that is thicker than about 3 inches, or one that is hard to reach with your tools yourself — get an ...

Trees are an integral part of your garden planning. They are essentially the pillars of your outdoors. There are many reasons to site trees in your garden areas. In my ...

Q. I have had a desert willow tree for about 3 years. When I got it, it was covered in blooms and about 5 feet tall. It has grown about 2 feet, but only has two or three blooms a year. What am I ...

Q: I am sending two photos of my desert willow tree, now in its fourth spring. The buds form, grow and then dry out before opening. Have taken samples to Mesquite Valley. They saw no evidence of ...

Four things are ready to harvest right now, like the desert willow tree. It has a nice, sweet flower. “You suck on this end and you can taste what the hummingbirds taste a little bit of nectar ...

From Diggin' In: Q: We recently had an open house party here at our new home. We had a couple of neighbors, along with our family. Auntie G. says she really liked the desert willow tree that is ...

The desert willow planted at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden quite a few years ago does provide a little bit of shade to the succulents planted beneath it, but its real value lies in the ...