Palo Brea

Palo brea is in the same family as the palo verde, a popular tree in the Coachella Valley and nearby desert communities.

Just like the palo verde, palo brea has a striking green trunk and beautiful yellow flowers when in bloom. It’s also very heat and drought tolerant as it originates from the desert.

However, the two trees do have subtle differences to the trained eye, including the shape of the trunk and form of flower branches. Also, palo breas are less messy and do not self-seed as easily as palo verdes.

Botanical name: Parkinsonia praecox

Other names: Caesalpinia praecox, Sonoran palo verde tree

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Palo brea is a medium-sized desert tree that reaches about 30 feet in height and width.

Umbrella-like canopy with twisting branches that stay low to the ground. The trunk is green, which allows it to photosynthesize. May have thorns.

Green leaves are made up of tiny leaflets that grow in pairs.

When in bloom, the showy yellow flowers cover the entire tree and create a yellow blanket underneath.

Followed by green seedpods that turn brown as they ripen.

Beautiful, attention-grabbing tree, especially when in bloom. Great candidate for adding curb appeal.

Adds color to a desert garden.

Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Provide palo breas with deep water to soak up all its roots. Frequent shallow watering will create weak roots, trunk, and branches.

Remove dead or weak branches in the spring or fall.

Palo brea is native to many dry and warm regions in Latin America such as in Argentina and Mexico.

Soil: Well draining alkaline soil. Adapts to a wide range of soils including sand and clay. Tolerates poor nutrition. Will become a larger tree with moderately fertile soil.

Temperature: Hardy down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist while tree is becoming established. Then, occasional, deep watering. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Either use a moisture meter or stick your finger through the soil to gauge the moisture level.

Sun: Full sun. Partial sun is ok in Palm Springs area.

Pests: Palo brea has minimal pests which include scales.

To remove scales, pick them off or use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Horticultural oil will kill both crawlers and adults with direct contact. Insecticidal soap is better used to target only the crawlers. Whenever using any kind of pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.

Signs of overwatering: Yellowing trunk, weak branch growth, leaf drop

Signs of too little water: Leaf discoloration, leaf drop

Signs of too much sun: Palo breas can handle heat as long as it gets ample water during heat waves

Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, discoloring

Palo brea can be propagated via cuttings.

How much does Palo Brea cost?

At our nursery, a Palo Brea tree costs $120 for a 15-gallon container, $250 for a 24-inch box, $750 for a 36-inch box, and $1,850 for a 48-inch box.

Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information on pricing. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.

what is the difference between palo breas and palo verdes?

They are very similar trees in the same Parkinsonia family. Some differences: palo breas are less messy and do not reseed as easily. The shape of the trunk is unique in its twisting form. It is slightly less cold hardy than the palo verde.

Why is my Palo brea losing leaves?

It is probably losing its leaves due to too much or too little watering or cold weather.

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