Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 15, 2012

From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Tree for caliche soil in Cochise County, Arizona
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What trees will thrive in areas of moderate caliche soil in southeast Arizona? My property is at 4,200 feet of elevation. Thanks for your help

ANSWER:

The following trees will grow in clay and caliche soil and are native to Cochise County:

Acer grandidentatum (Big-toothed maple)

Chilopsis linearis (Desert willow)

Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress)

Quercus gambelii (Gambel oak)

You can see other possibilities by going to the Arizona Recommended page and using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to choose "Tree" from the General Appearance slot and reading the Soil Description given under GROWING CONDITIONS.

 

From the Image Gallery


Bigtooth maple
Acer grandidentatum

Desert willow
Chilopsis linearis

Arizona cypress
Hesperocyparis arizonica

Gambel oak
Quercus gambelii

More Trees Questions

What plants to put under an oak tree in Clover SC
January 30, 2010 - I have a 70 year old oak tree in my backyard and have tried to grow grass out from it with no success. I'd like to just plant some shrubs and make it a natural area now, but need advice on what I ca...
view the full question and answer

Tahitian gardenias (Gardenia taitensis) salt and wind resistance in Hawaii
February 03, 2006 - Are Tahitian Gardenias salt tolerant? We live on a rocky coastline in Hawaii and we get a lot of salt spray.
view the full question and answer

Wind damage to pecan tree in Royse City, TX
June 14, 2009 - The wind broke my pecan tree trunk in two. It is approximately 2 in caliper and about 15 feet tall. Is there a tree trunk repair?
view the full question and answer

Caterpillars on catalpa trees and hardiness of catalpas
May 23, 2007 - A volunteer catalpa tree has recently popped up near the edge of our swimming pool. The foliage is lovely, so I'm considering allowing it to stay. This one has already proven to be a fast grower . ...
view the full question and answer

Shumard Oak failing to leaf out in Pflugerville TX
March 27, 2010 - I planted a five gallon container grown Shumard Red Oak late last October and so far this spring there is no sign of any leaves on the tree. The branches are not brittle so I don't think that the tre...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.