Meet the new seedless Chilean mesquite.

If you’ve ever admired the feathery canopy of a mesquite tree but dreaded its thorns or messy seedpods, good news—there’s a better option on the horizon. The Civano Seedless Chilean Mesquite (Prosopis chilensis ‘Civano Seedless’ PPAF) is a new variety developed by Civano Nursery that promises all the beauty and shade of a traditional mesquite with none of the drawbacks.

“There is no other thornless and seedless Chilean mesquite on the market,” says Stephanie Vickers, Civano Nursery’s sales manager, social media and marketing director. “Chilean mesquites are one of the most popular trees used in urban landscapes, thanks to their vigor and low-water requirements. However, seedpods can become a nuisance in urban landscapes and require constant clean-up. The thorns can also be problematic for outdoor urban spaces, such as parks and schools.” 

The Civano Seedless solves both problems in one tidy, desert-hardy package. Growing to about 25 to 30 feet tall and wide, it’s an ideal shade tree for sunny backyards, courtyards or open public spaces. Its growth rate is moderate compared to the generic Chilean mesquite, which grows quickly, and while it may produce a few spring catkins (the elongated yellow fuzzy flower whose pollen can cause an allergic reaction typical of generic Chilean mesquites), it’s essentially free of pods and allergens.

Vickers notes that proper planting and care make a big difference. “With any mesquite, give them room to grow,” she advises. “Desert trees develop horizontal roots to help absorb water and anchor themselves. With the right watering, good pruning from a certified arborist, and enough space, this can be an amazing tree.”

Civano developed the variety through years of observation and testing in Arizona’s extreme climate, not in a lab. “I like to joke that we have a crazy scientist in the back conjuring up new plants, but it’s really about patience and watching how each one performs,” Vickers says. “We’ll watch trees for up to 10 years before we have a winner.”

Each tree is grown from cuttings, ensuring it is a true-to-type clone, rather than an unpredictable seed-grown plant. It’s part of the Civano Originals lineup of more than 20 patented and patent-pending desert-adapted selections developed to make Arizona landscapes more sustainable and beautiful.

Clean, reliable and allergy-friendly, this might just be the desert shade tree we’ve all been waiting for.

PLANT FACTS

• Type: Tree
• Size: 25’H-30’H by 25’W-30’W
• Blooms: None
• Water needs: Low, once established
• Zones: 8-11
• Attracts: Birds, wildlife
• Soil: All types
• Light: Full sun
• Maintenance: None, once established