Prosopis tamarugo

Cultivation Details

The plant occurs naturally in arid areas of the tropics, within the latitudinal range 18 - 21°S, at elevations from 1,000 - 2,500 metres^[1]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 32°c, but can tolerate 8 - 36°c^[1]. Dormant plants can be killed by temperatures of -12°c or lower, though fresh young growth can be killed at -1°c^[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 150 - 250mm, but tolerates 100 - 300mm^[1]. It is often found in areas where there is no rain for years at a time; however, at night there is a high relative humidity and the trees absorb moisture through the leaves^[1]. Requires a sunny position. Succeeds on salty, salty-sandy or clay-loam soils, sometimes with a 40cm salt encrustation at the surface^[2]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 6.5 - 8.5^[1]. Established plants are very drought resistant, able to go for 12 months or more without rain^[1]. Under less harsh conditions that the plant experiences in its native environment, the plant might spread uncontrollably and become a serious weed^[1]. Trees can reach 10 metres in height within 15 years, even under harsh conditions^[1]. The tree coppices well, regenerating rapidly when cut back^{[2, 1]}. Annual wood production potential is 2 - 4 cubic metres per hectare^[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby^[3].