Tree ID please

9 years ago

I see these small trees planted next to walls in narrow spaces in office parks around town here in Tucson. I think I might have a use for them in some tight areas in my yard.
See attached pic - they are the ones behind the oleander in the foreground and in front of the sagos. I like the tropical looking leaves.
Thx.
BC

Comments (12)

ra
9 years ago
It looks like an old Mock Orange Shrub. I see these usually planted as hedges, but can be trained as a tree. Blooms early spring and smells like citrus flowers.
richsd
9 years ago
the genus/species is Pittosporum tobira.
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campv 8b AZ
9 years ago
Mine are very slow growers.
mingtea
9 years ago
Loquats are smaller trees that are nice and leafy. They may serve the same purpose for you, provide fruit and grow a little faster.

-Ming
ra
9 years ago
Loquats will need sun protection for the first few summers. They'll easily burn up during the summer. But it's a great tropical looking tree if you get it pass that. Plus they're pretty cold tolerant.
Fascist_Nation
9 years ago
In addition to the link on citrus publications given to you....

Here is a link that might be useful: Watering By Numbers (AZ)
bobscitrus
Original Author
9 years ago
thanks for all the great replies :)
BC
richsd
9 years ago
Fascist, thanks for that useful link. I saved it on my desktop.

Unfortunately, I haven't been checking how deeply my irrigation water is soaking down. Next purchase at HD: a very long screw driver.
grant_in_arizona
9 years ago
Yup, I agree about the Pittosporum identification for sure.

The one thing I REALLY wanted to comment on (sorry I couldn't help with the ID I was out of town for several days, but you obviously got great answers, lol) was the soil probe. Has ANYONE ever seen a true, real, ready-to-use soil probe for sale in the Valley? If so, where? I asked this question years ago and no one had, but maybe since then someone has?

I too will get a looooooong screwdriver in the meantime, hah.

Happy gardening all,
Grant
campv 8b AZ
9 years ago
Well Dave the Garden Guy on Channel 3 says to use rebar.
Some plants need to be damp 2-3 feet or more and I have never seen a screw driver that long LOL
ra
9 years ago
I got this of amazon recently

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CTPXXEE/

pretty nice probe and helps out a lot, I've been watering less ever since I got one. Although it isn't 3ft long lol
cold_weather_is_evil
9 years ago
If you stop at any wrought iron shop (the guys that will make you an iron door or window bars to fit, not HD) they can make you one out of smooth 3/8 rod in five minutes. They sharpen one end on a bench grinder and put a 90 degree bend (or a triangular spade type handle) at the other end. It will last forever and a day more.