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Ironwood
Scientific Name: Olneya tesota A. Gray
Synonym:
Family: Fabaceae Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 12-13
USDA: 8b-10
Frost Tolerance: Deciduous if the temperature drops below 28°F (-2°C), mature
trees killed at 15°F (-9°C)
Heat Tolerance: Excellent
Sun Exposure: Full sun, tolerates reflected heat
Origin: Sonoran desert in Arizona (USA) and Mexico (Sonora, Baja California,
Baja California Sur)
Growth Habits: Evergreen tree or large shrub, growing slowly up to 15 to 30 feet
tall (4.5-9 m), 15 to 25 feet wide (4.5-7.5 m); older trees have trunks that can
reach 2 feet in diameter (60 cm); twigs with paired thorns, 0.12 to 0.4 inch
long (3-10 mm), at each node; pinnately compound leaves, up to 2.4 inches long
(6 cm) with 6 to 20 oval gray-green, thick, leaflets, 0.28 to 0.8 inch long
(7-20 mm)
Watering Needs: Little to no water once established, grows faster and looks
better with some occasional deep waterings
Propagation: Seeds, that need scarification (fresh seeds will grow without
scarification)
Cultural Practices:
Some maintenance is needed to train the trunk in a tree shape. There is also
some litter generated with the flowers and pods. It is still an excellent tree
for the Phoenix area.
Blooming Habits:
Short lasting but showy lavender flowers, 0.24 to 0.6 inch wide (6-15 mm),
covering the tree in masses of blossom, in the spring.
Fruiting Habits:
Seeds pods with 1 to 4 edible seeds
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