Misconception: All Oaks Grow Slow.

Not True! Some of New Mexico’s native oak species can put on up to 4 feet annually. The faster growing natives include: Chisos Red Oak (Quercus gravesii), Gray Oak (Quercus grisea), New Mexico Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis), and Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii).

Native Oaks that can grow 1-2 feet annually (sometimes more) include: Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii), Sandpaper Oak (Quercus pungens pungens) Vasey Oak (Quercus pungens vaseyana), Mexican Blue Oak (Quercus oblonggfolia) and Turbinella (Quercus turbinella).

New Mexico’s native oak species make some of the best shade and specimen trees that are locally adapted to our high soil pH and conditions of low water input and high heat tolerance. They are deep rooted and so could be planted closer to structures than surface-rooted trees like cottonwoods, ash, or sycamores.

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Question: How close to my house can I plant a Cottonwood tree?

Cottonwoods grow to be immense trees attaining dimensions of up to 40 - 50 feet tall and wide with a root system to match. Cottonwoods have a surface root system that can heave sidewalks, crack walls and home foundations if planted too close. Cottonwoods should be planted a minimal distance from structures of at least 25 feet if not further. Trees That Please Nursery carries two varieties of cotton-less, Cottonwood Trees. Please contact us or stop by the store for more information.

Afghan Pine

The Afghan Pine ( Pinus eldarica ) is also known as Desert Pine, Eldarica Pine or Mondell Pine. Afghan Pine is native to low rainfall areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and southern Russia . In fact, when planted in areas of high rainfall (> 20” per year), it becomes susceptible to a number of diseases and rapidly declines. This problem has occurred in East Texas. The Afghan Pine thrives in heat, wind, and tolerates drought. Afghan Pine must be planted in soils with good drainage like sand. It is not suitable for poorly drained heavy clasy soils. Afghan Pines are generally pyramidal or Christmas tree shaped in form when young becoming more oval or irregular with age. The leaves of the Afghan Pine are evergreen needles usually found in groups of 2 per fascicle or sheath. Needles are shed after several years and make excellent mulch as they fall around the trees base. It has attractive trunk bark that becomes dark and furrowed with...

Weed Identification: Goatheads or Stickers

Goatheads ( Tribulus terrestris ) are native to Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Goatheads are also called stickers, sticker weed, bullhead, devil’s weed, and puncturevine. Goatheads are easily recognized by their prostrate growth form, leaves with leaflets, yellow flowers, and stickers (Goatheads). If you miss’em visually then they will stab you painfully in the fingers as you work your garden, or stick to your clothing and shoes. Goatheads are the primary reason local bicyclists must get “thorn proof” tires for riding on area trails and streets. Goatheads have prostrate stems that radiate outward from one central point. Leaves are compound with smaller leaflets. Lemon yellow flowers form along the stems and fertilized flowers form fruits. Fruits consist of several attached structures called nutlets (Goatheads). Each nutlet is a single seed that becomes hard or woody when mature. Each seed has two sharp spines that easily pene...

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