There are a number of efforts around the Valley to plant more trees — both as a way to help cool the air and to provide more shade. And Stephanie Vickers said certain types of trees are better for certain locations and to perform certain functions. But she says some growers also use the process of selection to try to almost create a better desert tree.
Vickers is the sales and marketing manager at Civano Growers in Tucson. The Show spoke with her and asked what kind of work she and her colleagues are doing to develop new kinds of trees that are perhaps better adapted to the Sonoran Desert.
Full conversation
STEPHANIE VICKERS: No, you’re absolutely right. There is a need for it, and I’ll explain why. We have been very blessed to have such a diverse climate. What happens when you have that? Well, let’s talk about microclimates. A lot of places like, oh, now take Phoenix. Phoenix is probably the most prime example. With the expansion of Phoenix, what’s going on over there? You have this sort of mentality that there’s grass in every commercial parking lot. You have these very lush trees. It’s very green.
And don’t get me wrong, you’re trying to paint town green, but water becomes an issue. You know, plants that were brought in to an environment that they weren’t meant to be here. And we just kind of just babied them along for the last 40, 50 years. Well, now it becomes this need where it’s like, you know what? Let’s take a step back and let’s start looking at the native flora…