Palo Brea

Parkinsonia praecox

Light

Water

Low water once established. Water deeply, then allow soil to dry; established trees benefit from deep irrigation every 3–4 weeks during prolonged summer drought. Water young trees more regularly while roots establish.

Size

15-25 ft tall × 15-20 ft wide

Habit

Upright tree – multi-trunk

Toxicity

Not Established

Description

A sculptural Sonoran Desert tree with smooth blue-green bark, twisting branches, and an airy canopy of tiny leaves; also known as Parkinsonia praecox.

Bloom Time

Spring

Deciduous / Evergreen

Semi-evergreen

Special Features

Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Drought Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Growth Rate

Moderate to fast

Growth Habit

Upright tree – multi-trunk

Mature Size

15-25 ft tall × 15-20 ft wide

Flower Color

Yellow

Foliage Color

Light green

Landscape Use

Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife Garden, Shade Tree, Specimen / Accent

Garden Style

Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Brittlebush, Chuparosa, Desert spoon, Golden barrel cactus, Red yucca, Santa Rita prickly pear

Not Established

Not established — verify

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; thrives in Phoenix heat and reflected heat.

Water: Low water once established. Water deeply, then allow soil to dry; established trees benefit from deep irrigation every 3–4 weeks during prolonged summer drought. Water young trees more regularly while roots establish.

Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil; tolerates alkaline desert soils. Avoid persistently wet or poorly drained locations.

Mature size: Approximately 20–30 feet tall and 25–35 feet wide.

Bloom: Abundant spring flowers, generally March–May in Phoenix.

Evergreen / deciduous: Drought-deciduous; may also drop leaves during cold weather. Green bark provides year-round color.

Growth rate: Moderate to fast, depending on irrigation and growing conditions.