Just Googled it. It sure does! I guess that's what it must be. Thanks a bunch! ^_^

Good point. They don't forget, but will block the nitrogen fixing bacteria's rhizome formation. After all, if you have plenty of nitrogen then the bacterium have nothing to offer in exchange for the carbs and shelter the tree provides. Then the nitrogen fixers die back and may not be available to colonize if the artificial nitrogen source later disappears. This is an old thread. As a general rule I would question pruning Mesquite the first 5 years anyway. If it is growing that fast it is being over watered (or fertilized). And sadly rescuing a tree buried too deeply by digging out an area is unlikely to work for long. If it has only been in the ground a year digging it up and replanting is better. Otherwise some real thought to replacing it should go into the decision of what to do. Still that likely was best practices in 2008, especially when best practices was often derived from non-desert (arid) trees. Not a certified arborist. This post was edited by Fascist_Nation on Sat, Jul 19, 14 at 16:36

From How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest: "Mesquite seeds are covered with a hard seed coat and can remain dormant for many decades until conditions become favorable for germination. Some growers have had success planting slightly green seed that are fully formed and filled out, but that have not yet turned brown and hard. Dried seeds will germinate faster if first scarified. Nick with a knife or soak in hot water (100ð F) for 60 seconds. Repeat hot water treatment if necessary. Follow the hot water soak by aerating the seeds for 1 day. Pregerminate seeds that have imbibed on germination trays (see Chapter III). Remove germinating seeds and plant directly in deep containers. The containers should be filled with a well-drained soil mix. Seedlings have a long initial root. Pretreated seeds will germinate within 10 days in warm soil. Using a small amount of native soil or inoculating with rhizobium bacteria may promote stronger and more vigorous growth."

What are your temps like in Albuquerque this time of year? It might still be on the cool side. I can't tell you for sure, but I think it was in the upper 60s/low to mid 70s before my Prosopis juliflora leafed out completely. My Prosopis pubescens (screwbean) is a bit behind and hasn't fully leafed out yet.