Friends,
My Dad took warnings about the drought pretty seriously. Actually, he took the price increases imposed by the local water district seriously and he decided that he should allow the landscaping in the front of his house to go fallow. Sure, the city threatened to fine my parents for failing to landscape the front yard. Dad’s answer was a mix of, “dirt is desert landscaping,” but more often that he would get around to it soon enough.
When Mom called asking for suggestions on what to do with the front yard, I suggested a fruit tree. A grapefruit tree would be ideal for the shade they provide, but enjoying the fruit is a no-go. Maybe an orange or tangelo? Something full-grown, so we won’t have to worry about maintenance from a distance. I even offered to pay for a tree to be delivered and planted.
So Mom picked out a Palo Verde, which is not a fruit tree.
I still paid for it and tried to make planting day into an event, which didn’t happen. A neighbor suggested that the tree be a memorial to my Dad. I’ll leave a determination on that to your best judgement.
Your best pal,
bob