I have the idea of planting a row of tall, narrow, Italian Cypress as late afternoon shade, along part of the western property line on my home in Ajo, 90 miles west of Tucson, but I haven’t the foggiest idea where to begin to search for the correct variety — or even how many varieties there are, or which ones would do best in the Sonoran Desert.

Ideally, the trees should be able to grow quite tall, to provide more shade, in the later part of summer afternoons. Also, I have noticed some Italian Cypress are very scant and pointy at the top and was wondering if there was a variety that is still marrow enough to take up minimal space, yet be fuller at the top, so as to give more solid shade from the western sun.

I know I have asked a lot of questions here, but hope that you may get me started in the right direction, as I choose the right tree.

What fruit tree will grow in a desert climate, with little water, and produce fruit?

a.more trees exist in the area today
b.the area was once arable and suitable for farming
c.deserts are richer in plant life than once believed
d.the prehistoric Saharan desert was once larger than it is today

In Palm Springs, California the temperature will at times get up to 120 degrees. It’s considered a desert climate. Can I grow an avocado tree and expect it to thrive and bear fruit?

My desert plant book does’nt cover much of the some 25,000 spiecies.