The Palo Verde Tree

Last updated on July 19th, 2026 at 05:30 am

The Palo Verde tree (Cercidium-Parkinsonia) is also known as the Desert Museum Palo Verde. It is an exceptional tree for the Southwest. It is a Hybrid of the common Palo Verde tree that is native to the Sonoran and Southwest deserts. Palo Verde Means Green Stick in Spanish.

Flowering Palo Verde

It produces a mass of beautiful small yellow flowers in late spring. They are native to the Sonoran Desert and thrive all around the southwest from southern California to southern Texas.

The Flowers

The Palo Verde Tree and Flower — Detailed photo of a blooming Palo Verde tree in spring

Once established, it will grow to about 30-40 ft. tall and 50 ft. wide. A drought-tolerant tree that is durable and, in fact, can live up to 400 years.

I love how this tree gives us a lot of shade when it gets really hot in the summer. If you live somewhere dry like me, you know shade is hard to find. That’s why I think this tree works so well for desert yards or places where it rarely rains.

It doesn’t need much watering, but it still grows big enough to let you sit under it and cool off. When I look around at neighbors’ yards, the ones with this tree always look cooler and more comfortable. If you want some relief from the sun without spending a lot of time or money, picking a tree like this just makes sense.

It gets its name from the year-round green bark on the tree. In Spanish, Palo Verde means “Green Stick”.

The Palo Verde Tree — The Bark of the Palo Verde Tree

Pictures of the Desert Museum Palo Verde Tree

A magnificent Palo Verde at full colorful bloom.

The True Native Palo Verde

The Foothills Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) is native to the Desert Southwest. You will often see it growing naturally along dry arroyos, rocky slopes, desert foothills, and undeveloped areas surrounding Southwest neighborhoods. It is well adapted to intense sunlight, poor rocky soil, extreme summer heat, and long periods with very little rainfall.

This species is smaller and slower-growing than many other palo verde trees. At maturity, it typically reaches about 15 to 20 feet tall with a similar spread. Its naturally irregular branching pattern and green bark give it an attractive desert appearance. The green bark also helps the tree produce energy through photosynthesis, even when it has few or no leaves.

The Foothills Palo Verde produces very small yellow-green leaves that help reduce moisture loss. When temperatures fall below approximately 32°F, the leaves may turn yellow and drop. The tree can also shed its leaves during extended drought or extreme heat. This is a natural survival response and does not necessarily mean the tree is dying.

Small yellow flowers usually appear in spring, although flowering can vary depending on winter rainfall and local growing conditions. Once established, the Foothills Palo Verde requires very little supplemental water. Occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods can help a landscape tree, but frequent irrigation may cause weak growth and root problems. Plant it in full sun and well-draining soil where its natural desert shape has enough room to develop.

Problems with the Palo Verde Tree

Spider Mites and Palo Verde Root Borers

Spider mites can occasionally become a problem on Palo Verde trees because they thrive in the same hot, dry, and dusty conditions found throughout the Desert Southwest. These tiny pests are not insects; they are closely related to spiders. They feed by piercing the leaves and removing plant fluids.

Early signs of spider mites include pale speckling, yellow or bronze-colored leaves, premature leaf drop, and very fine webbing around the leaves and smaller branches. Because Palo Verde leaves are naturally small, you may need to inspect them closely. You can also hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and tap it gently. Spider mites may appear as tiny moving dots on the paper.

A strong stream of water can remove many mites and wash dust from the foliage. For a heavier infestation, neem oil or insecticidal soap may help. Thorough coverage is important, especially on the undersides of the leaves. Never spray neem oil during the hottest part of the day or when temperatures are extremely high, because it can burn the foliage. Apply it early in the morning or evening, follow the complete product label, and repeat the treatment only as directed.

The Palo Verde root borer is another pest that may damage Palo Verde trees. The adult is a large, dark brown or black longhorn beetle with very long antennae. Its size and dark color sometimes cause people to mistake it for an unusually large cockroach. Adult beetles are commonly seen during the summer monsoon season, particularly at night and around outdoor lights.

The adult beetle is not usually responsible for the most serious damage. The larvae are large, cream-colored grubs that live underground and feed on the tree’s roots. They can remain in the soil for several years before emerging as adult beetles. Round exit holes near the base of the tree or in the surrounding soil may indicate that an adult beetle has emerged.

A healthy, established Palo Verde can sometimes tolerate a limited amount of root feeding. However, a young tree or one already weakened by overwatering, drought stress, poor drainage, trunk damage, or improper planting may decline more quickly. Warning signs can include thinning foliage, dying branches, reduced growth, instability, or the gradual decline of the entire tree.

Root borers are difficult to control once the larvae are deep inside the roots. A general borer insecticide may not reach them, so spraying the trunk after you see an adult beetle may provide little benefit. The best protection is to keep the tree healthy with proper planting, occasional deep watering, good drainage, and protection from mechanical damage. Avoid piling soil or mulch against the trunk.

If you see several exit holes, extensive branch dieback, or a tree beginning to lean, contact a certified arborist or qualified pest-control professional. They can determine whether root borers are responsible and whether treatment is practical. Always read and follow the entire pesticide label before applying any insecticide.

Learn more about Insects and Diseases on plants.

More Southwest trees for landscaping – Southwest Trees.

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Paul Guzman

Paul Guzman is a lifelong Southwest gardener and gardening writer with decades of experience helping homeowners grow beautiful landscapes in the desert Southwest. He writes for Guzman’s Garden Centers in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with contributing expertise from Gary Guzman, owner of Guzman’s Garden Centers. If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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The Palo Verde Tree

Flowering Palo Verde

The Flowers

Pictures of the Desert Museum Palo Verde Tree