Re: Tipuana tipu and other tropical trees for deserts

Larry Shalom,

Thank you for your response to my query, and I do hope you might be able to answer some questions on plant hardiness for a couple of tree species that I would consider specifying for this project in Riyadh, if I knew that they had a track record in a similar climate.  We are considering using Tipuana tipu, Tabebuia impetiginosa, Tabebuia caraiba, Cassia javanica, Cassia fistula, Thespesia populnea, or Cordia sesbestena trees as flowering accents to complete this job.  We have had problems with a few of the trees which were originally specified for the project, such as Ficus rubiginosa 'Florida', which could not cope with the heat of August.  Of the trees which I have listed, only the Cassia fistula and Cordia sebestena trees are currently being grown here in Riyadh, and I have not seen any really large specimens around town. 

Other tropical trees which are being grown here includePlumeria obtusa, Terminalia cattapa and Roystonea regia, and include trees which have survived several winters over the past 10 years where the temperatures did drop below freezing for several hours at night.  (I wasn't here then, but I've been told that there have been at least 3 winters with frosts in the last 10 years.)  Other tropical trees such as Plumeria obtusa and Delonix regia can become deciduous during bouts of cold weather, and the Plumeria are starting to show signs of distress at current winter low temps. of 6 degrees centigrade.  I don't know if you are in a location which is as high as Riyadh,(600 meters elevation), or can get as cold, (absolute all time lows of 2 to 3 below zero), but any info you might have on these species of trees would be most appreciated.  My experience with all of these trees is from more tropical climates, and I have never attempted to use them in a high des! er! ! ! t setting.  Do you publish a list of the plants which you are growing at your nursery, and do you have a web site?  Thanks for your help.

Best regards,

David Feix

Larry Harris <bhtrees@bethashita.org.il> wrote:

David Shalom,

I would be happy to assist you with whatever problems you may encounter in your
landscaping project in Saudia.
Israeli desert climates are similar and my experience has been that the real problem
of trying to assess climate zones comes at the upper end (heat tolerance) and the
fact that you are experiencing sun radiation levels far above San Francisco, or most of
California.

Larry Harris
Beit Hashita Tree Nursery
Israel
uanu
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