I can think of three offhand. Mostly because they are the ones I
planted on my own property when I lived in southern Nevada and I was
looking for the same things you are. All were planted young and were
fairly fast growing. They are also very common varieties available at
even small nuseries in your area.
The fastest growth will be exhibited by the cottonless (male)
cottonwood. It gives a dense summer shade, can reach 70 ft. However
it does have a leaf drop problem in late autumn. It is a water hog,
but will reach deep enough to tap ground water after a few years that
irrigation is no major problem. In spite of the leaf drop, I do like
the looks of the tree and even brought cuttings with me back to Ohio
and they are thriving here.
While this website is about trees in Nebraska, there is a photo of a
cottonwood and additional information about half way down the page.
( http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/forestry/treeprog/ec1760-2.htm )
Next is the fruitless mullberry. It will provide summer shade but it
is not as fast growing as the cottonwood and reaches a height of 40
feet with an equal spread. It also has a leaf drop problem, though
the leaves often turn a bright lemon yellow. It is not as much of a
water hog as the cottonwood and will also send roots deep enough to
survive with minimal irrigation after about 5 years. There is also a
'weeping' version which is quite nice.
Last but not least is the silk tree. It will reach 30 by 30 ft. Give
a filtered shade and pink flowers.
Now I can go on listing trees. Because of high desert winds, the most
practical of the above would be the mulberry.
Now that I have given you a barrage of personal opinion, here is a
website which will provide you with photos and other information about
tree species for the high desert.
( http://www.vvwater.org/guide/trees.htm )
And while you are at it, you may want to consider the California fan
palm. Washingtonian Felifera NOT Robusta. The Filifera grows at a
moderate speed and from about six feet or more can be trimmed to give
a shade similar to a patio umbrella. The Robusta fan palm does not
have the spread to do this. The robusta grows tall and skinny to 80
feet, looks for all the world like a feather duster yanked out of the
garbage disposal 10 seconds too late, and drops those little nasty
black seeds from 70-80 feet which sting like BBs when they hit. Then
they make a black mess all over the sidewalk. Olive trees make the
same kind of black mess.
I certainly hope this helps but I would be more than glad to clarify
anything. Please ask.
Now retiring to a hammock under my cottonwood trees
digsalot |
