"paghat" wrote in message
...
In article , "David Hare-Scott"
wrote:

"Scott Fiore" wrote in message
...
Hi,
I live in a Sunset zone 12 (Intermediate Desert) and am looking to
plant some fast growing shade trees. Does anyone have any
suggestions? Thanks!
-Scott Fiore

Have a look at genus Eucalyptus. There are over 500 species of all sizes
suited to all kinds of condtions including very hot and fairly dry. Some
are
very fast growing. If you select the right kind for the climate and soil
they
can be very durable. Depending on where you are there may or may not be
much
choice available for sale. I seem to recall there are some specialist
vendors
in the USA.

David

But they are banned in some areas because they present an unusual fire
hazard, each tree a gigantic match waiting to ignite.

That's interesting. I never thought of banning them, there being a few
zillion here. You wouldn't grow them near your house as they do burn well and
some drop branches. But growing any big tree near your house is not smart in
my view, there are so many ways that they can do damage. The giant match
image seems a little alarmist but perhaps eucalypts are less well behaved
compared to cool temperate trees.


Try to get a copy of Mary Rose Duffield's PLANTS FOR DRY CLIMATES, which
tells a lot about trees that can thrive in desert climates. Some need
regular watering but don't mind the weather extremes. Others are low water
maintenance but those tend to be slow growers.

Look for information on acacia trees. At least a dozen species are in
nursery production for desert gardening, with cultivars in many
interesting forms. The genus is to desert gardening what oaks and beaches
are to temperate gardening, with endless variety available.


I like acacias too. I didn't recomend them as most are more in the shrub/
small tree category. The larger ones that I know are adapted to wetter and
cooler conditions. I am not saying there is no such thing as an acacia
dryland shade tree (there is how many to choose from 1000?) but I thought
eucalypts was a better bet.

How big are the ones in nursery production that you refer to?

David