University of New Mexico

Table of Contents

Tours

  1. Climate Ready Tree Tour A

    Stops

    1. Honey Mesquite

      Common Name: Honey Mesquite 

      Botanical Name: Prosopis alba 

      Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, honey mesquite is a hardy small tree known for its fine-textured leaves, fragrant yellow flower spikes, and long seed pods. It is highly heat and drought tolerant and thrives in dry, sunny habitats. It provides food and cover for wildlife. 

       Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, xeriscaped area, restricted growing space

    2. Mexican Elder

      Common Name: Mexican Elder 

      Botanical Name: Sambucus mexicana 

      Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, Mexican elder is a small tree or large shrub known for its clusters of creamy white flowers in spring and dark purple berries in summer. It is heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established. Its blossoms attract pollinators, and its fruit is an important food source for birds. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Xeriscaped area 

    3. Autumn Purple Ash

      Common Name: Autumn Purple Ash  

      Botanical Name: Fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple' 

      Native to eastern and central North America, this cultivar of white ash is prized for its deep purple-red fall color. It has moderate heat tolerance and, once established, moderate drought tolerance. This medium to large shade tree has a strong, upright form and is commonly planted for its attractive foliage and stately presence in the landscape. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, highly irrigated area 

    4. Mimosa Tree

      Common Name: MimosaTree 

      Botanical Name: Albizia julibrissin

      Native to eastern and southern Asia, the mimosa tree is a small ornamental tree known for its fern-like leaves and fluffy pink flowers that bloom in summer. It is heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, highly irrigated area

    5. Desert Willow

      Common Name: Desert Willow 

      Botanical Name: Chilopsis linearis 

      Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the desert willow is a small tree with slender, willow-like leaves and trumpet-shaped pink to lavender flowers. It is highly heat and drought tolerant and is well adapted to hot, dry climates. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Xeriscaped area 

    6. American Sweet Gum

      Common Name: American Sweet Gum 

      Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua 

      Native to the southeastern and south-central United States, Mexico, and Central America, sweetgum is a deciduous tree with star-shaped leaves that often turn red, orange, and purple in autumn. Its distinctive spherical fruiting structures persist into winter. It has moderate heat tolerance and limited drought tolerance once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, streetscapes 

    7. Fig

      Common Name: Fig 

      Botanical Name: Ficus carica 

      Native to western Asia and the Mediterranean region, fig is a deciduous small tree or large shrub that produces a syconium, a specialized structure commonly called a fig. It is heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Xeriscaped area, highly irrigated area, fruit tree 

    8. Golden Rain Tree

      Common Name: Golden Rain Tree 

      Botanical Name: Koelreuteria paniculata 

      Native to China, Korea, and Japan, golden rain tree is a deciduous tree known for its yellow flowers in large terminal clusters and its papery, lantern-like seed capsules that develop after flowering. It is heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, xeriscaped area 

    9. Ginko

      Common Name: Ginkgo 

      Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba

      Native to China, ginkgo is a deciduous tree with distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn bright yellow in autumn. It is the sole living species in its plant division, Ginkgophyta. It is tolerant of heat and shows moderate drought tolerance once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Large green stormwater feature, highly irrigated area 

    10. Shumard Oak

      Common Name: Shumard Oak 

      Botanical Name: Quercus shumardii

      Native to the southeastern and south-central United States, Shumard oak is a large deciduous tree in the red oak group. It develops a strong taproot and, once established, shows good tolerance to heat and periodic drought. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, xeriscaped area, streetscapes

    11. Zelkova

      Common Name: Zelkova 

      Botanical Name: Zelkova serrata 

      Native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and eastern China, zelkova is a deciduous tree in the elm family. It is tolerant of heat, urban conditions, and moderate drought once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Large green stormwater feature, highly irrigated area, streetscapes 

    12. Chinese Pistache

      Common Name: Chinese Pistache 

      Botanical Name: Pistacia chinensis 

      Native to China, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia, Chinese pistache is a deciduous tree valued for its strong fall color and adaptability. It is tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soils once established. 

      Preferred Planting Location: Small and large green stormwater feature, streetscapes