Evaluation of seven drought tolerant tree species for central California

Abstract

Climate change poses challenges for the Southwest, where an already parched region is expected to get hotter and, in its southern half, significantly drier (Garfin et al. 2013). Increased heat and sustained drought will stress water sources and redefine urban landscapes. As landscapes gradually evolve from lush to xeric, tolerance of trees to water-related stress resulting from excess irrigation today and deficit irrigation tomorrow will become increasingly important. This article describes a 14-year evaluation of seven drought tolerant species that were obtained from a nursery in the arid southwest and planted in central California. It assesses their survival, growth, and water tolerance under a variety of site conditions. Arborists can use this information to help determine if any of these trees merit further testing and evaluation in the landscapes where they work.

Citation

McPherson, E.G.; Albers, S. 2014. Evaluation of seven drought tolerant tree species for central California. Western Arborist, 40(3): 10-15.