1 in the backyard
Native to arid and subtropical regions of South America, the Chilean Mesquite tree grows either singly or multi-trunked. Trunks are twisted with dark, coarse textured bark. Upright grower with a wide crown and flat top. Drought tolerant, and grows fast with supplemental water to 30 feet tall. Relatively inconspicuous yellow-green, catkin-like flowers appear in the spring. Some varieties of this tree have thorns, some don't. Chilean mesquite trees tend not to lose as many leaves during the winter as the Argentine mesquite. Edible seedpods that are 3-5 inches long ripen and drop in the summer months.
Plant Chilean mesquite tree in full sun. Drip irrigation during the first year after planting, with little to no supplemental irrigations needed after establishment. It will require vigorous pruning to shape when young. Chilean mesquite tree produces frequent crossed branches and grows sprouts around pruning wounds. Attempts to train this tree into a symmetrical, standard shape will be impossible. Falling seedpods (beans) may create a litter problem in high traffic areas.
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Limit water to control rapid growth and windstorm uprooting.
