Flowering Trees

• Purple orchid tree (Bauhinia purpurea) quickly reaches its mature 20- to 35-foot height and width. Abundant, orchidlike flowers appear along its arching branches between March and April. Trees without adequate water, however, may drop their leaves in late summer or fall. Purple orchid tree grows in sun or partial shade. It's susceptible to leaf chlorosis in unamended, alkaline soil. Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) has April and May clusters of trumpet-shaped, blue blooms. The tree can grow up to 50 feet high and wide and its compound, green leaves provide yellow winter color. Sun-loving jacaranda needs good drainage and consistent, deep watering. Temperatures colder than 27 degrees Fahrenheit may damage it.
  
  

Pine Trees

• Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) is an upright, irregularly branching pine with pairs of 2- to 4-inch needles and plated, red-orange bark. Needles yellowing in Phoenix's summer heat green up in winter. Aleppo pine likes full sun and widely spaced, deep watering. Canary Island pine's (Pinus canariensis) warm, brown bark and drooping, green to gray-green needles are attractive features for Phoenix landscapes. The slowly growing tree's white, new needles add further interest. Canary Island pine needs full sun and regular watering. Eighty- and 100-foot respective mature heights make these trees inappropriate for small landscapes.
  
  

Trees with Fruit

• Arizona madrone (Arbutus arizonica) has glossy, evergreen leaves and pink-tinged, brown bark. It can grow up to 45 feet tall, and its small, white May to July blooms produce bunches of bright red-orange berries. The fruit brings birds to the garden, reports the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Arizona madrone thrives in full sun and dry, rocky soil. Pomegranate (Pumica granatum), a drought-resistant 15- to 20-foot tree, typically has showy, orange-red April blooms. They glow against the tree's tapered, glossy green foliage. Its edible, red or yellow fruit ripens between midsummer and autumn. The Wonderful pomegranate cultivar performs well in Phoenix. This usually water-thrifty plant needs additional irrigation when grown for fruit.
  
  

Shade Trees

• Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina) seldom exceeds a height of 40 feet. Its spreading branches' compound, green foliage brings yellow autumn color. This shade tree grows quickly and tolerates alkaline soils well. It performs best in dry, rocky soil and full sun. Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii) is a large-landscape tree standing up to 80 feet high. It has an irregular form with green, lobed leaves and peeling, white to pale gray bark. The exposed bark is an ornamental accent when the tree drops its leaves in winter. Arizona sycamore tolerates a wide range of soils. It needs full sun and regular water.