The ironwood tree is a beautiful evergreen with gray-green foliage and pinkish flowers that bloom in the early summer. It’s an incredible species that can live up to 1,500 years. It even has edible seeds that remind some foodies of peanuts! This tree got its name from its exceptionally heavy, dense wood. In fact, just one cubic foot of ironwood weighs 66 pounds! The ironwood tree’s graceful canopy makes it a delightful addition to residential and commercial landscapes. If you’d like to add an ironwood tree to your property, here’s what you need to know about caring for it.
Selecting the Right Spot for Planting
Ironwood trees are hardy, but they do need the right conditions to thrive. These trees require well-draining, fertile soil. They are tolerant of both alkaline and acidic soils, although they prefer slightly acidic soil. Ironwood trees do not do well in soil with high salt content. You can plant them in full sun or partial shade areas. Although the ironwood has an impressive canopy, it doesn’t create much leaf litter. This makes them an ideal tree to situate near pools.
Watering an Ironwood Tree
Although ironwood trees aren’t thought to be native to the Southwestern desert, they do thrive in the region thanks to their high tolerance to drought. In fact, it’s best to avoid planting ironwood trees in lawn areas that receive regular irrigation due to the risk of overwatering to the tree. If you’ve recently planted your ironwood tree, you should water it deeply to help it get established. Once it’s established, you may only need to water it every two to four weeks if your area hasn’t been getting rain.
The certified arborists at Complete Landscaping offer professional tree care services throughout the Tucson area. We are fully equipped to handle any size of tree care job, thanks to our fleet of bucket trucks that allow us to work safely from high in the air. Call our office at (520) 323-8918 to request a quote.