Drought Resistent Tree

Discussion in 'Gardening for Water Conservation' started by dorian821, Sep 27, 2009.

  1. dorian821

    dorian821 Member

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    cuyama valley
    Hi, Ive got some land in Cuyama valley CA, which is in the north east part of Santa Barbara county, which I would like to live on in a few years. the problem is that there is no well on the prop, and the valley is quite arid, 1-1.5 feet of rain per year, with a couple inches of snow as well. otherwise it is hot and dry. Though I would like to plant some trees now, so that in a few years when I have money to dig a well and move out there I will already have shade. as of now, there are is only tumbleweed and juniper bushes.

    are there any trees that will grow in these conditions without considerable water supplement?
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Sounds like junipers grow there. Maybe there are some pines that would live there as well. Any of those nearby? What else do you see growing nearby? Maybe with mulching and occasional buckets of water during visits you can get some other kinds going.

    Cypresses are also typical of semiarid regions. But these look generally like junipers. They do tend to grow fast.
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Given the name of your home, Cuyamaca Cypress Cupressus stephensonii would be a good one to try.
     
  4. Alevin

    Alevin Member

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    Hi, here in Southern Italy in a similar condition you would plant Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) or Olive (Olea aeuropea). They are both really drought resistent, but I am concerned about snow. How cold does it get there? Olive is slightly hardyer.
     
  5. alex66

    alex66 Rising Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    one native tree is a good solution, in this forum there is one thread with plant list for xeriscaping,however my preferite is nerium oleander.
    uhuh Alevin with Ron B and Michael F in this page .. 3 teacher ;-)
    ciao Ale
     
  6. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    Dorian,
    Have you considered some native oaks? I think an oak that can survive east Texas could survive anywhere!
    http://oaksofthewildwest.com/OakVarieties.html
     
  7. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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  8. vulcan

    vulcan Member

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    I think Yews "Taunton Yew" (Taxus 'Tauntonii') maybe is a good recommendation.
     
  9. K Baron

    K Baron Well-Known Member

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    Eucalyptus.... so many to choose from.....
     
  10. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Put on your flameproof underwear :-) Californians (generally) hate Eucalyptus as
    fire hazards or invasives.
     
  11. K Baron

    K Baron Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Saltcedar,


    Is Santa barbara county too warm for Madronas? or Myrtle?
     
  12. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Myrtle would do fine, it is native to hot dry areas in the Mediterranean. But realistically only a shrub, not a tree as was requested.
     
  13. alex66

    alex66 Rising Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    i agree with Michael myrtle is good for low hedge
     
  14. Ginsu

    Ginsu Member

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    I'm not sure how well they will grow where you are, but a favorite to most Arizonians is the Mesquite tree. These are very drought resistant trees, I havn't got a good rain here since July and the mesquites are still doing very well. If you don't mind their thorns they are awesome trees.
     
  15. K Baron

    K Baron Well-Known Member

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  16. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    That's a crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia, not a myrtle Myrtus! Different thing altogether. Sloppy naming on that website.
     
  17. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    >Sloppy naming on that website<

    Botanical name is given right at top of discussion.
     

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