Parkinsonia praecox
Light: Full sun; thrives in Phoenix heat and intense sunlight.
Water: Low water once established. Water deeply, then allow soil to dry between irrigations. Establish young trees with regular deep watering; provide occasional supplemental summer irrigation during prolonged drought.
Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil. Tolerates alkaline desert soils; avoid waterlogged sites.
Mature size: Typically 15–25 feet tall and wide; may grow larger under favorable conditions.
Bloom: Late winter through spring, often before new leaves emerge; timing varies with temperature and rainfall.
Evergreen / deciduous: Drought-deciduous; may also shed leaves during cold weather.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate establishment watering; slower under very dry conditions.