Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade, especially for young trees. Protect from intense western exposure and reflected heat; established trees tolerate more sun with adequate irrigation.
Water: Water deeply, then allow the upper few inches of soil to dry. Irrigate more frequently during extreme summer heat and reduce watering in winter. Avoid persistently wet roots.
Soil: Deep, well-drained soil; slightly acidic conditions preferred. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may require targeted micronutrient treatment. Avoid poorly drained sites and caliche barriers; mulch without covering the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 10–20 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide in favorable conditions; can be maintained around 8–12 feet with pruning after harvest.
Bloom: Typically late winter through spring, depending on temperature and frost exposure. Fruit generally ripens in summer; timing and production vary in Phoenix.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; cold damage can cause leaf drop.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate; growth slows during cool weather and severe heat stress.