Chilean Mesquite

prosopis chilensis – Deciduous to semi deciduous – Chile

Prosopis Chilensis. Wait. What?

Prosopis Chilensis is the Latin name for the Chilean Mesquite tree. If you live in Arizona, then you are familiar with the Chilean Mesquite Tree. It’s prevalent in our Phoenix area.

What makes it so popular? It provides shade on those long sunny summer days in Phoenix. It doesn’t need much watering, which is excellent for our desert environment.

Chilean mesquite trees grow fast, fertilize themselves, and are pleasing to the eye. They can grow to between 30 and 50 feet high with a widespread. Part of their beauty is the way their roots spread both on top and under the ground. While aesthetically pleasing, their roots can do damage to a nearby pool or foundation.

Like everything, there are just as many pros as cons, even with trees. The most common disadvantages of the Chilean Mesquite tree, aside from how the roots grow, include it being weak enough to be knocked over by a strong wind, and its messiness.

Tree vs. Plant

Some reports claim the Chilean Mesquite is an ornamental plant because it is so appealing. Its branches and roots twist and turn, and the openness of its crown gives it the perfect balance. Grouping the trees, like lining both sides of a long driveway, make them even more beautiful.

Other reports refer to the tree as an evergreen and point out that if it looks and acts like a tree, it’s a tree. Arizona State University defines the Chilean Mesquite as a semi-evergreen, woody perennial tree. We’ll go with that for now.

The “semi” refers to the tree being dormant from December to April in Arizona each year. While this South American original seems like the perfect addition to your landscape, there are numerous guidelines to follow during all phases of the tree’s life.

Planting, growing, and removing the Chilean Mesquite requires specific skills to ensure the tree has the healthiest, most extended life. An arborist or Phoenix-area tree expert should be the first person you call when working with this tree. They can help you at any stage, from planting to removal.

Planting the Chilean Mesquite

The first step, planting, requires that you do so in full sun. Well, that won’t be a problem. During the first year, water the growing tree once a week. After the first year, when the tree is established, limit watering.

It’s easy to see why people think this is the ideal tree.

Pruning and Trimming the Chilean Mesquite

As a young tree, pruning is essential. The tree needs to be pruned by an Arizona licensed tree pruning professional. The pros at Design Tree Maintenance are like barbers. They use their skills to make sure your tree looks more “ooh la la” and less “oh no no.”

The experts can also avoid pruning scars. The Chilean Mesquite is pruned at different times during its life, and only certain suckers, sprouts, twigs, or branches should be cut to enhance growth.

If you begin pruning too soon or trim pieces that are still alive, you could hinder the tree’s growth. It’s been noted that sprouts on a Chilean Mesquite tree will try to grow where there are pruning scars. So, the least amount of scars, the better.

Removal of the Chilean Mesquite

The Chilean Mesquite tree is not as large as some of your other trees, and its branches are known to break easily. However, this does not mean it is an easy tree to remove from your yard. Trees that grow in wild directions may cause more damage during the removal process.

You can see the roots that grew on top of the ground, but you can’t see the ones underneath.

A tree expert familiar with the Phoenix landscape should be hired to remove your tree. They understand root systems, how to fell a tree so that no one is harmed, and what to do with the tree once it is removed.

Plus, they already have all the equipment required to complete the removal process.

Other Benefits of Hiring a Professional

Experts have insurance protection, certifications, and resources. Hiring tree experts gives you access to advice during emergencies, like when the wind blows your Chilean Mesquite tree off its roots in the middle of the night. Professionals in the tree business can assist you in any stage of the tree’s life by creating a blueprint that spans decades.