Blue Palo Verde

Cercidium floridium, the blue palo verde, a true native to our desert, Baja and Arizona, is an abundant giant in the Borrego region. This tree is a fast grower often seen along roadside berms where it has sprouted from seed. Blue palo verdes can reach heights up to thirty-five feet and widths around thirty feet. This tree has a blue green trunk, tiny leaves and flowers profusely in spring. It is heavily thorned. I can't tell you how many times I have stepped on a loose twig and been punctured on the ankles or legs by those nasty thorns! Heavy gloves are needed when pruning or working near these trees. But, the blue palo verde is well worth the pain. They provide the dense shade needed for the west side of any desert home. Just take care to visualize their size at maturity before planting them. These trees are found in various places though out the Anza Borrego desert and provides shade for hikers and campers, plus nesting sites, roosts, food and refuge for wildlife.