Tree
Texas Ebony
Ebenopsis ebano · Fabaceae
Also called: Ebano, Texas Ebony
Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis ebano) is a low-water tree well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It grows to 15-30 ft H x 15-25 ft W in full sun, with a slow growth rate.
Texas Ebony at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun
- Mature size
- 15-30 ft H x 15-25 ft W
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom
- Creamy white to pale yellow, fragrant, Late spring through summer (June-August), often following rains
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy to about 15 F (brief lows near 12 F on established trees); USDA zones 9-11
- Soil
- Well-drained soils; tolerant of alkaline and rocky desert soils and some salinity.
- Native range
- South Texas and northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipan thornscrub); not native to the Sonoran Desert
- Best used as
- Specimen/shade tree, Evergreen screen, Patio tree, Wildlife/barrier planting
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and butterflies; seeds within the thick woody pods are eaten by wildlife and historically by people (roasted). Dense thorny canopy gives excellent bird nesting cover.
- Toxicity
- Foliage/seeds not notably toxic; plant is armed with sharp paired spines that pose a physical hazard near walkways.
How to grow Texas Ebony in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought tolerant once established; deep watering every 2-4 weeks in summer speeds growth, but the tree survives on much less. Reduce watering in winter.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Minimal needs as a nitrogen-fixing legume; little to no fertilizer required. Light spring feeding optional to push faster growth on young trees.
Pruning & care
Prune in late spring after frost danger to lift the canopy and remove crossing/low branches; has zigzag twigs with paired spines, so structure early. Avoid heavy pruning in cold months.
Notes
Dense, dark-green, evergreen (to semi-evergreen) canopy with thick woody seedpods and zigzag spiny branchlets. Very slow-growing but long-lived and durable, casting deep shade. Cold-hardiness is marginal for the coldest Tucson microclimates—site in a warm location. Drops large persistent pods.
Sources: AMWUA 'Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert'; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; Texas A&M / Aggie Horticulture references