The " Interesting Trees found in Baja, and Sonora " Virtual Tour Thread...

[Silas_Sancona]

A tread dedicated to the numerous interesting finds i have located (  ...and continue to stumble upon ) while using street view to find other stuff in various places in both Baja and Sonora..

I started surfing around down there for a few reasons: 

A: Just to see what is being grown / used in landscapes.

B:  To have a reference of what can be found on visits down there..

And, more importantly, C:   To get eyes on trees that might be able to be used in landscapes up here..  Some already are,  but are very rare sights,  ..but shouldn't be.  

While some of these may be a bit tender this far north,  there are already specimens of others  ..or close relatives of...  that have shown potential and have been grown in both botanical and collector's gardens locally   ..that need to be trialed in more easily visible landscapes.

In an era where  ..it is wayyyy past time...  to start looking for trees that are much better adapted to heat, drought, and the abrupt swings in precipitation anticipated to occur here more often ..and in nearby areas of CA,  it is time to stop ignoring looking south for new ideas,  instead of trying to grow things that just won't cut it here anymore / listening to stuck in the past advise regarding tree options one might look into.   Lots of neat options at our doorstep, for those who aren't afraid of thinking outside the box.

Anyway..  Some interesting finds, ..even if virtually, ...for now,  lol...   Will add more as i find em'.


Hura polyandra..   How can i tell?,  Leaves,  and the short, ...but easy to see... studs on the trunks  Mahoe trunks lack spines / studs  ...leaves may look similar, even from a distance, but are arranged differently / veins aren't as easy to see.  Found in the La Paz, BCS area...





Zoomed in and cleaned up a hair so the spines / studs on the trunk stand out a touch more..  #2 shot is a mmaller trimmed specimen where you can see the distinct veins in the leaves nearby..  ..As best as possible from this distance..








Moringa sp...   Lots of big Moringa in the neighborhood / elsewhere nearby.  None have such Fat  n' massive trunks like these, esp specimen #2.  Both located across from one another, in the Centro District of Todos Santos, BCS..










Not a tree of course.. But worth noting these nice Adonidia nearby..






Handroanthus,  AKA Trumpet Trees..  Common enough in CA but a rare sight here..  Interesting that the specimens i have seen in Baja have bigger leaves / can be quite tall, compared to what specimens i've seen here..   

Casual assumption only, but thinking the Yellow- flowered sp  in shot #2 may be H. chrysanthus.. the easiest to access native " Golden" Trumpet Tree  in that region of Mexico ( Sonora / Sinaloa ).   Centro District, Todos Santos..




Note the Arborescent Euphorb. on the far left in the shot too.




Ocotillo may be awesome, but,  Some of the other Fouqs  -that could < should > be included in public landscape designs up here?-  are rare sights outside botanical / private gardens..  Handle our winters fine, so they shouldn't be as under used as they are..   Thinking these are either Fouquieria macdougalii, or F. diguetii.  Hard to tell apart from a distance.   San Jose Del Cabo area..








Pseudobombax  < Likely ellipticum.. >  White flowered specimens, these at least..  Centro District in Todos Santos.. Have to re locate pink flowered specimens i've come across..







Cordia dodecandra, AKA: Zircote...  Looks a lot like Cordia sebestena  but produces flowers that are more star- shaped. Fruit is edible, ...having a similar flavor profile to Loquats. 










Cyrtocarpa edulis  AKA Baja / Cimarron Plum..   Bursera  and Spondias / Mombin   relative  that produces fruit that tastes like Peanut Butter / buttered Popcorn.  Despite an assumption of being a " tender " tree, my pair of these has never had any issues w/ winters here,  wet n' chillier, ...or warm and dry. 

Protected at times down there but a bIg specimen has been grown for some time at a Cactus-centric specialty nursery in Tucson.. 

Very interesting to see these used in landscapes..  Mine will go in 18" deep boxes this year since they've quickly outgrown the 3gals i've had them in for the last 2 years and started flowering last year..

A sucker for wildly gnarled trees only weirdos would consider ugly....















How can i tell what they are, even from a distance?  Having specimens to reference / a larger one to also use as a guide when looking at details,  ..Leaf arrangement / size,  and color of the trunk..  Very common in that part of Baja too.  Bursera sps  from that area have a different look.    San Jose Del Cabo area...

Good example of how to separate Cyrtocarpa edulis ( Green tree in the Pedestrian island on the left ) from the Bursera ( Not sure which sp. ) in the island on the right..  I'll get to various Bursera observed later..





Big leaved Ficus, La Paz area.. Pink / white flowered plant on the right is Allamanda..




...More later...










 

[Peter]

Great thread Nathan!

[Silas_Sancona]

>>>> 

Next up,  ...How about a literal Mango forest, from two different angles  ..in a roundabout... San Jose Del Cabo area...  Yeah, Yeah, i know.. Might be awhile before anyone sees mangoes this big up here, if ever, lol..






Various Ceiba specimens from both the La Paz BCS,  and Hermosillo, Sonora area ( Planted extensively near the University there ) ..  Species -wise, some could be C. pentandra,  others could be Bombax ceiba ...my assumption only.. 

There were inat. obs of Red Kapok from Hermosillo, but they were removed. Still, there are some distinct ( from the rest of the Hermosillo obs. ) specimens in a park there, complete with the wide, flaring trunk base seen in big B. ceiba specimens ..Although that trait isn't restricted to that sp. of Bombax / Ceiba.


















Another unusual semi-succulent small tree that could be used in landscapes here..  Not exactly sure on the sp. but possibly Jatropha cinerea, which grows as far north as S. AZ, and is very common down there. 

My own specimen / others i've seen in gardens here / in CA demonstrate that it possesses decent, at the very least,  cold tolerance. 

Heat / seasonal drought? not a problem either..  J. vernicosa, a similar looking sp. also occurs in Baja. It also could be used  there ..and up here / shows similar winter temp. tolerance to J. cinerea.   San Jose Del Cabo, BCS. 

Several other " Succulent " Jatropha sps from Sonora have done pretty well up this way as well. Time for forward thinking landscape designers to start planting them...

These specimens may be short, but, as is the case with most stuff from summer monsoon regions in N. America ..and beyond..  Deep soak say once every couple weeks, ..at the right time of year + planting in gravely soil that drains well can = specimens in the 15 -20ft height range..






Black Olive.. San Felipe, BCN..  See these a lot of these just south of the border, even in the hot / extremely dry end of Baja / far N. Sonora yet, ..i've yet to see any observations of it on the AZ or CA side of the border..  Seems adaptable for either area, imo..




Tropical Almond... Makes perfect sense that this tree is a common sight in southern Baja, but, could they handle more winter cool / summer heat than assumed??

Might look great in La Paz ( and/or around Cabo,  Todos Santos, or the Loreto area )




....But,  ...While the street view resolution may not be perfect, broad leaved trees on either side of the Poinciana are def. Tropical Almond   ..in the tiny town San Felipe, BCN,  at 31deg N.   While right on the Gulf, San Felipe is about as hot and dry as Baja gets..  ..and is only about 120 miles south of Mexicali..

Street view shot is from 2009, but it appears the trees may still be there today..  Found a Coconut nearby as well, though again, resolution isn't great and it was still well hidden among other palms when the street view shot was captured ( 2009 ).. Maybe G.E. will travel through the same area again soon..


If not being tried there yet,   perhaps folks in -at least- coastal S. Cal, and /or further inland should be trialing these..  What current  iNat observations there are from around S. Cal are plain as day bad ID's.

FYI, there are a ton more specimens growing in S. Baja than are currently documented on iNat.




Paradise Tree ( Simarouba glauca   ..and / or...  amara  )  Might be too tender this far north,  but would trial it anyway..  Very attractive tree..

Found these in the La Paz area,  but have found specimens of all sizes from Loreto to Cabo...









NOID... Could be Cassia ( leaves look to wide, imo )  ..Could it be Piscidia  ( Fish poison Tree )  ..or something more exotic.  Note the Pseudophoenix and Hyophorbe  next to it..  La Paz area..



Sonoran - native Piscidia mollis  has been growing -w/ out much trouble apparently-  at the Campus Arboretum in Tucson.. Possible the Zoo here in PHX has a couple specimens as well.

Could be wrong, but don't think Jamaican Dogwood / Fish Poison ( ..Piscidia piscipula )  has been trialed anywhere outside FL.  Should be..   Neat, tropical looking trees that should be seen more.



>>>>>>>>>>

[Silas_Sancona]

Variegated Ficus.. La Paz area.




One of numerous Tamarind specimens.. This one caught while asleep..  Interesting that they'll fruit here ..and in other areas of Sonora where observed yet my neighbor's 15+ year old specimen has yet to set any fruit..

Some say the dry heat here may negatively effect successful pollination but,  Seeing specimens in areas of Sonora that get just as hot as we can, I'm a little skeptical of that idea..

Extra bit of humidity further south might balance out any neg. effects of heat further south, but wondering if something else might be effecting my neighbor's specimen..

There's another possible, good - sized Tamarind specimen nearby that has access to more water ( Planted by a pond )  i'm hoping to get eyes on soon, let alone observe what it does over the coming year..

Regardless of whether or not they'll produce fruit here  ..or not..  perfectly adaptable tree for wider use in street - scapes here, and in -at least- S. Cal. ( Some legit specimens recorded out there )






Spondias / Mombin   ..likely the  Red / Purple variety (. S. purpurea )    Another N. American Bursera / Pachycormus  relative that produces useful fruit.  Might look kinda ugly when dormant, ..but the fruit is worth growing them.. Foliage resembles Mahogany, or Neem tree when present.

Supposedly cold tender ..at least when young but have heard of local specimes...  and worked with someone who had brought back cuttings off a tree in Culiacan ( Sinaloa ) to try..  Didn't keep in touch, so no idea how his trial turned out but,  ..Definitely trial -worthy here, and in warmer spots away from the immediate coast / areas around Palm Springs in S. Cal  ..If it isn't being grown in either area already..

Would prefer a rocky, well draining planting site because, like many dry- tropical region trees,  dense, cold wet soil in winter can cause root rot issues..

As mentioned, some info suggests Mombin is a tender tree, while other info suggests that they only need protection on nights when temps drop below about 38F when young, ..and can withstand colder temps ( ...to about ~31F ) when older w/ out being seriously damaged.. 

Heat?  ..not a problem for these..

Fruit is said to have a similar flavor to Plums or Mango  ..Sweeter when fully ripe ( Bright Red, Purple -ish  ..or Yellowish..  at that time ) ,  Somewhat more tart / acidic tasting if harvested a little earlier..  Traditional summer / fall season fruit in all of Mexico / Latin America, and parts of S.E. Asia apparently..

Screen grabs from both  La Paz ( smaller tree ) and San Jose del Cabo ( bigger specimen )






Two forms of Terminalia  ( * Formally Bucida * ) buceras.. The larger leaved  " Gregorywood / standard Black Olive " ( T. bucida ) form on the left, and the smaller leaved form on the right.  Used to see both fairly often in FL..  These are from the La Paz area..



Out of view in the screen shot but there is also a Tropical Almond planted further to the right of the smaller leaved specimen..  ..So, if viewing in person,  you'd get to see all 3 types of  commonly planted " Cluster Leaf  " / Terminalia  species  side by side,  each possessing an ideal trait that could be applied in any landscape design..

I get that some folks in FL absolutely detest these trees ..and rightfully so.. Not something that i'd suggest planting in a tight spot where roots or debris could be an issue but,

In hot / dry and near frost free areas like PHX where a dense, darker green  -and relatively tight - shaped tropical - looking tree-  would offer much welcomed shade, can see either form being utilized in parks, or wide street islands  w/ out the mundane -ness or seasonal maintenance issues often associated with our great ...but over used... shade tree options like Mesquite and Palo Verde, or the weirdly out of place options like Chinese Pistache and Elms.. 




Mahogany ..Likely Swietenia humilis,   Honduras / Hondurian Mahogany  since it is native to the region thus, the easiest for to access species for growers.. Not out of the question the species seen in FL,  West Indian Mahogany,  might be utilized in N.W. Mexico as well..

Another great, tropical looking and shade producing tree option that might be worth trialing here and in S. Cal..  I assume this for two reasons..
 

**  While the observation points are obscured, Mahogany ( Likely S. humilis ) has been recorded from the both sides of Baja Sur ( Loreto to Cabo ), and as far north as Hermosillo in Sonora ...which gets about as hot / can be about as dry as we can during the summer, ...and can experience winter lows near or just below freezing occasionally,  just like we can.  More humid / heat is less intense -typically- / cold = not quite as much of a threat closer to the coast in S.Cal.

** Additionally, the species is quite common across Sinaloa, occurring in the same general range as Cascalote ( Tara / Caesalpinia cacalaco )  which has done exceptionally well here..  

Anyone who'd say otherwise is gonna have a hard convincing me that Tara would be perfectly hardy, while the Mahogany growing 200ft away in the same park in Mazatlan would freeze to death after experiencing the same night or two in the low 30s here..

Time would tell i guess but,  ..would try it if seed were available.. Mahogany in general are considered a threatened genus due to the obvious value of their wood so seeing more of these, even in cultivation, in the desert, or in San Diego,   isn't a bad thing..

Screen grabs of the first 2 specimens are from San Jose del Cabo, & Cabo San Lucas.  Rest are from near Mazatlan.. 

San Jose del Cabo.. Would've been nice if i could zoom in more but you can see the distinct, upward facing seedpods on the tree if you look closely.. One of the few iNat observations that wasn't obscured. Passed a few more while looking around for other stuff, but didn't think to write down where they were..



Cabo San Lucas area ..More around but couldn't relocate.



Mazatlan...
















As mentioned, there are iNat observations of other Mahogany specimens made from La Paz, Todos Santos, Loreto,  and Hermosillo but those are hard to track down on street view since they are obscured, meaning the observed specimen is within 20 or 40 miles of where the red dot is located on the observation map..







Enterolobium cyclocarpum  ..another tree seen in Mazatlan and Cabo that has been observed as far north as Hermosillo. Believe the Campus Arboretum in Tucson is trialing it as well..



Wayy too big for most yards but  ..would be a pretty cool sight in some of the bigger local parks  ..it  and / or E. contortisiliquum   which has shown surprising tolerance to desert heat / cold ( A couple big specimens growing in Tucson < Campus Arboretum >  for years )


>>>>>>

[Silas_Sancona]

>>>>>>>

What those " Money Trees " sitting on any # of nursery houseplant shelves can look like when allowed to grow a little....

Pachria aquatica   ...or P. glabra  ...since the two look similar, and have been incorrectly ID'ed by some in the Hort. / nursery trade 







Interesting to find this tree used in landscapes...  While where i found these ...within the landscape of a developed parkway along a river in Puerto Vallarta...  One ..or both... species  have been  grown in gardens from South and coastal Central FL, to S. Cal w/ out much issue, ..even in sometimes wet and chilly in winter S. Cal..

If the information on hardiness is within the ballpark of accurate, one ..or both.. species can handle occasional low temp exposure down to about the 28-30F range w/ out the threat of major damage..

Aside from the obvious tropical effect the foliage provides, flowers are intensely fragrant at night w/ some descriptions of the flowers on P. aquatica leaning toward smelling like Lilacs..

It is also thought that from seed, it takes only 4-6 years for these to start flowering so, while they may be a tougher grow here in the desert ( ..though i've also seen specimens growing in both Mazatlan and Culican ..where it gets HOT during the summer ) requiring being planted within a grove of taller trees to provide summer shade / a wide basin that can collect runoff -when it rains-, these are -at least- trial worthy as far north as the warmer 9b areas of the Bay Area and Central Valley..

One could also plant in a 24 - 40" sized container and trim occasionally to keep bushier / shorter,  yet allow enough growth for flowering  and /or  seedpod development ...if you're lucky. 





Another Birch / Poplar - alternative for the Desert / Other " too warm for northern / water demanding trees " places nearby...

Lysiloma candidum  ..the other Palo Blanco..   which, unlike Mariosousa heterophylla  ( ** formally willardiana ** ...the most well known " Palo Blanco "  ) does not produce peeling bark.

A few excellent examples of this attention - attracting tree around, ...but far rarer than it should be..

La Paz area ..near the University there.  Looks like they recently planted numerous specimens in some of the street islands that will eventually wow and shade visitors and locals alike..








Bursera...

Perhaps the most under utilized genus of trees that is the perfect fit for hot and water -stressed places in the west where they can withstand occasional lows that reach  ..or fall just below... freezing in the winter.   Several sps, inc. a few unexpectedly tropical - looking, may be able to withstand occasional brushes w/temps down to about 25 or 6, albeit w/ some degree of potential damage incurred.

...a tree that offers any number of visually appealing aspects throughout a given year and contains 100+ species, many unique.  Some can be evergreen, others seasonally deciduous, and possess bark that peels ..or doesn't.  Bark that comes in varying shades of gold,  white-ish, red, orange,  blue-ish, or green..  Can be cultivated as a large bush, or grown as a tall shade tree, depending on the species and how it is cared for...  And often produces a highly aromatic sap similar to Frankincense or Myrrh ( Trees that produce those resins = Same family as Bursera,  just originate in the Old World )

..and best of all, because they store water in their trunks,  many species can go up to a year without being watered / can survive on what mo' nature might provide...  No need for cities to waste water on thirsty trees???

A real shame this genus of trees, ..at least 2 sps being native to AZ,  aren't used extensively in commercial landscapes here,  and in nearby areas of S. Cal.  Incredible potential currently being ignored by too many.. 

Not the case further south where various species within the genus are utilized with reasonable consistency..

La Paz and Cabo del San Jose area... Not sure on the exact sps.  Red-ish barked sp. in screen grab #8 may be Bursera hindsiana, a common sp. in Baja.
















Various sized specimens planted around the university in La Paz..








Absolutely despise seeing great plants ..trees esp.  being turned into dumb a**  shapes, or topped low like this but, goes to show just how versatile some Bursera sps can be..     Keep the " Euro style " of trimming things  ...in Europe



Yes kids, ..that is Bursera simarubra  ..AKA Gumbo Limbo.. growing in a landscape, ...in Puerto Vallarta.  



Despite the assumption that this particular Bursera sp is restricted to S Fl, and the Caribbean region,  it actually grows as far north as just north of Alamos, Sonora in the Sierra Madre Occidental in N.W. Mexico..  No reason i can think of why it can't grow here / be trialed in S. Cal..




While some grow Bursera as tiny, over priced bonsai -esque specimens, they look their best when allowed to grow -naturally-..

Bursera microphylla in habitat, South Mountain Preserve.





Article discussing the history of an impressively large, and well known B. microphylla  specimen at a nursery in Palm Springs.. 

https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/home-garden/maureen-gilmer/2017/06/09/tree-botanical-garden-make-forget-summer-desert/102565624/


Bursera fageroides  at a well known Cactus - centric nursery here in Chandler..  Not sure if the owner sold it or moved it elsewhere when he relocated his nursery but, if what i remember being told is correct,  this ..and a few other specimens he had planted at the time  withstood the last more significant cold event here.. Reason it is so large, compared to some of the other specimens above?, ...deep soak, provided once or twice a month, during the summer / early fall...






While the seasonally deciduous sps might look a little weird to some ( Primarily folks from back east / Canada / Europe ...Whose opinions on what the desert should look like are odd head scratchers anyway )  when nekked, even the most gnarly looking Bursera  specimen offers up a chance to appreciate the artistry behind how nature sculpts things.  Numerous sps will present a taste of " traditional " fall color as they drop their leaves after the summer rainy season too.

For those who'd prefer a " Bursera " that is guaranteed to retain it's foliage in the winter?  related  Pachycormus  fills that void. ..it too is a regionally native, desert adapted gem that too many in the nursery / landscape industry here ignore.  Not a slow grower either if treated correctly.

Whichever species is used, all would fit in w/just about any landscape application here and elsewhere..  Mixed with other arid adapted,  tropical looking trees, ...like Poinciana and Plumeria,   Cacti and Agave,  interesting, drought - adapted Palms.. etc..   there is at least a handful of Bursera sps. worth looking into..  Yes, some are more common / easier to find than others but, it seems that each year, more -typically rare- species become less  rare / hard to find..  That said, there are many more which should be in cultivation ...yesterday.

Using Bursera ...and Pachycormus... in city / commercial landscapes =  a far better use of time, effort, and resources than planting Ash, Elms, Olive and Pistache,  Pine, ...and anything else that isn't tough enough to tolerate the kind of climate stressors that are reality here, and in nearby areas region -wide.. 


For folks who like those trees / dislike the dry tropical desert look?   ..this probably isn't where you should be living..




..One of a few who has the right idea..

..if it doesn't belong to who i think it might,  this nearby landscape example offers up a taste of what is possible, ..if you think outside the box.  Very curious as to what the big leaved green thing between the Bursera and Palo Blanco is..


Bursera sp. ( ...or Pachycormus )




Boojum and Bursera microphylla ( left of / behind the Boojum and Cereus )  ..Note the " Ponytail " on the far left.




....Little better angle of the Ponytail / B. microphylla..  Pretty sure the dark green tree in the background is a TX. Ebony..



...We'll see what else can be found in the new year...

[Peter]

Great thread!

[aabell]

Cool thread. I'm in Florida so probably can't grow any of this stuff but I love exploring in street view. The new coverage from the past few years is really extensive in Mexico and a lot higher camera quality than the previous decade of coverage as well. Such a beautiful country with diverse plant life. 

[Silas_Sancona]

36 minutes ago, aabell said:

Cool thread. I'm in Florida so probably can't grow any of this stuff but I love exploring in street view. The new coverage from the past few years is really extensive in Mexico and a lot higher camera quality than the previous decade of coverage as well. Such a beautiful country with diverse plant life. 

Aside from maybe some of the Bursera sps, have seen most of the rest of the trees i mentioned in landscapes and/ or various Bot gardens there.. 

Bursera -wise, when i lived in Bradenton, i'd brought what species i had at the time w/ me and all did fine w/ the summer rainfall there. In fact, most grew faster than they can here, ..so, not out of the question several other sps, besides Gumbo Limbo, could work there ..as long as they aren't planted in muck, lol.

Agree 100%, it's fun to surf around on street view to see what might be growing ..in one's own neighborhood,  or in some place like Cabo or Mazatlan.  True too that overall resolution has improved greatly compared to say back in 2009.

Doubt it would ever be perfect of course but, G.E. imagery in a lot of the areas i scoped out in this thread was fairly recent ..2023  and 2024,  including some very rural areas i wandered into / have looked over in the past.   Resolution is good enough that, if you have a reasonable idea of what you're looking for, it's not too hard to sift out important details like leaf shape / fruits or pods of some of the trees.

Aside from looking for specific stuff, street view is a pretty good tool for looking over areas i might want to explore more ..or check on after a wet or dry summer, if they drove through X or Y area at that time...