As I am reading about the work to be done on the Avenue of the Fountains I am amazed at the choice of trees proposed for this area.

Who suggested these trees?

The Sissoo tree has very invasive roots. If one is planted it will create a forest of Sissoo trees not from seed drop but from the invasive roots. The roots will wreak havoc on the plumbing and other landscaping.

The Eldarica Pine is drought tolerant and native to the Mediterranean. Really, we can’t find a drought tolerant tree that is native to Arizona!? Besides, pine needles also cause problems around fountains.

The Chitalpa tree has massive leaf drop prior to the monsoon and again after the monsoon. I was under the impression we wanted shade trees along The Avenue.

The Swan Olive tree…yes, it is fruitless and is a beautiful tree in California! Arizona and California have two entirely different climates and what thrives in one state probably won’t in the other.

If we proceed with these choices we may be faced with more upkeep and more damage in the not so far future.

Check it out for yourselves. One can Google any and all of these selections.