The Foothills Palo Verde

The Foothills palo verde tree has light green trunks, spindly limbs, tiny leaves and sharp thorns. Yellow flowers explode in the spring, especially following winters with heavy rain. Deep roots help the palo verde obtain underground water to survive dry spells. During severe droughts these trees shed their leaves so they need less water.

Palo verde seedlings are light sensitive, so those that grow under the protection of a triangle bursage bush have a greater chance of surviving the first few months of life. One they're tall enough, palo verdes protect small saguaro seedlings from the hot sun and trampling feet.

Birds nest in palo verdes and larger animals eat their leaves and seeds. Humans can eat the flowers and grind the seeds into flour. Their wood is fine for building fires but not for building structures.