How Do You Know If Your Palo Verde Tree Is Dying?

Last Updated on June 16th, 2023

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There are going to be different ways to tell if the Palo Verde tree in your care is dying. The first and most common reason for a tree’s unhealthy condition would be the presence of insects or beetles that feed on the plant.

The next, possibly the more controllable, reason for a Pale Verde dying is when a caretaker overwaters the desert tree.

The most visible signs will be leaves dying, not to mention any signs of fungus or mold will be warning signs that the roots are rotting and the tree is being overwatered.

What are the first signs of a Palo Verde Tree dying?

As mentioned briefly at the end of the last section, there will be signs to check for at the roots and limbs; roots that have fungus growing or signs of mold will tell of the deeper issue of rotting.

There may also be signs of spider mites or mistletoe that cause slower deaths for the trees.

The other, possibly easier to spot, a sign would be the uppermost limbs and leaves dying unexpectedly.

You might also see canker spots along the bark, resulting from insects or parasites as the tree tries to squeeze them out.

How can you prevent it from dying?

There are preventative care-taking measures that can be performed to get ahead and curb the risks to the tree. Unfortunately, this cannot always be the case. Yes, a tree caretaker can take action to prevent the death of their Palo Verde Tree.

To prevent insects and parasites, the practice of regular applications of natural insecticides and fungicides; other maintenance needs of the trees include prude of the limbs and carefully planned water schedules, remembering the bark is green because it is filled with chlorophyll, trimming upwards cautiously but create a crown for which the leaves grow the best.

Common Mistakes you Need to Avoid

The first and most often mistake made over watering this desert tree, which will lead to root rot in most cases when there is an overabundance of moisture. Zero-scaping and sandy soil is better for the Palo Verde Tree, which homeowners with mulch might like to switch to.

Another common mistake would be the fear of pruning the tree and allowing for overgrowth; as mentioned earlier, the bark holds chlorophyll which absorbs the sun’s energy, giving the trees an advantage for being in sunny desert environments.

That said, a homeowner shouldn’t be afraid to trim the tree and expose the bark.

What is the Best Location for Planting a Palo Verde?

These trees are native to the southwest region of the United States, in Arizona’s deserts, to be more precise.

These trees prefer arid environments, which helps keep the roots from getting into rotting situations and grow very rapidly, which is why they require a trim and pruning every now and then.

This being said, the best location is somewhere sunny and dry, with space available for thirty-foot-tall trees to grow. With the proper tender loving care, these trees can get over thirty-two feet in height, providing the shade needed for the hottest of summer days.

How Often Should You Water it?

As touched on before, there is no need to water this tree often; like the saguaro cactus from the same regions of Arizona, there is little rainfall, but the plants have adapted to make do without an abundance of moisture.

Nevertheless, most that have these trees or grow them in nurseries recommend strict watering schedules, like that of the diets we humans subject ourselves to on a daily basis.

The general rule of thumb is that after a year of growth, level out at one watering every two or four weeks, depending on the weather. The most you should consider increasing watering to would be once a week, best during the daytime.

Final Thoughts on How do You Know if your Palo Verde Tree is Dying

There will be many benefits of having this low-water need tree, especially as climates change some areas into more arid habitats.

For homeowners that want trees but live in the drier places of the world, the Palo Verde Trees have adapted to thrive in the Arizona deserts, which can only bode well for many other similar climate places.

Another element to consider would be the drought occurring in the United States western region, and it might be smart to plant these trees moving forward to anticipate possible changes to the habitat in your area.