What other types of trees are native to the California desert? (Indio: gardens, palm trees) - (CA) - City-Data Forum

Brandon Graves · 08-14-2018, 09:41 AM

Besides California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera) and Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), does anyone here know what other types of trees are native (ergo, naturally grown or wild, NOT non-native nor man-made) to the California desert (Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley, the High Desert, Death Valley, etc.)?

I ask this because I myself was born and raised in Indio (a city near Palm Springs, larger in population than Palm Springs), and I love both the desert AND trees!

(Fun fact: Though both desert cities, Palm Desert and Indio have been recognized as a "Tree City USA" in California; Indio currently is, Palm Desert is now not recognized as one. In addition, Indio is known as the "Date Capital of the World," due to the abundance of date palm trees and date farms/gardens/groves everywhere in and around the city (and, also southeast of there, and right near the Salton Sea, especially).)

I know that some other types of trees in the California desert, such as date palm trees and tamarisk trees (both of which are a couple of my personal most favorite types of trees), although abundant, are non-native, whether imported or introduced.

So, to recap the question, what other types of trees are native to the California desert, besides California fan palms and Joshua trees?

Any info on this would be appreciated. Thanks!