New Mexico Olive Tree. Forestiera neomexicana.	New Mexico Olive Tree. Forestiera neomexicana.

New Mexico Olive Tree. Forestiera neomexicana, Olive Family ( Oleaceae ), New Mexico Olive Tree. Also Called: Forestiera pubescens, New Mexican Privet, Desert Olive, Ironwood, Ma'Iiada', and Tanglebush. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Forestiera neomexicana is a perennial, deciduous shrub or small tree has an upright form that reaches heights of about 10 - 20 feet. In Phoenix it blooms before its grayish-green foliage emerges. It has bright green leaves. Small, black berries later appear in autumn. Its wood is extremely hard. Its beautiful whitish bark accentuates its bright yellow fall foliage. Its female plants produce large amounts of blue-black berries, that are eaten by birds. Plant in full sun or partial shade, and average, well-drained soil. Quick Notes: Height: Normally up to 10 feet tall. Can reach 20 feet tall with equal or slightly less spread. Flowers: Tiny yellow flowers. Blooming Time: Southern Arizona, March - April. Phoenix Area, April - May. Fruit: 1/4 inch green fruit in late summer; turns redish to black as it ripens. Seed Pod: A light brown or tan tightly coiled legume, 1 to 2 inches long, ripening in the middle to late summer. Leaves: The leaves are about 1 " ilong, alternate, simple, green. Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT). In Arizona it is native to Mohave, Yavapai, Navajo, Apache, Gila, & Graham Counties. Also found in Northern Mexico in northern Sonora, northern Chihuahua, Baja Norte, Baja California, & Coahuila. Elevation: 0 to 6,500 feet. Hardiness: USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Habitat: Chaparral, Creosote Bush Scrub, Coastal Sage Scrub, Riparian (rivers & creeks), and Central Oak Woodlands. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken At Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, Glendale, Arizona. September 11, 2006. This plant can survive cold winters where the average annual low is -20 Fahrenheit.

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