If you live in Tucson, you may be able to take advantage of Tucson Electric Power’s “Trees for You” program. Here’s a look at the trees they offer to help you decide which $5 tree would be a good fit for your yard.
Everyone loves a bargain, and one of the best bargains Tucson gardeners can count on is the TEP (Tucson Electric Power) Trees for You Program.
How the “Trees for You” Program Works
If you’re a TEP customer, you can buy bargain-priced trees through this program. Every spring and fall, you have the opportunity to purchase two 5-gallon trees for $5 each.
To order trees, you need an online account. To find the Trees for You program, log into your TEP account and look for the list of “Account Programs” at the bottom of your “Account Summary”.
The selections can vary from season to season, but here are the offerings as of spring 2026.
- Arizona ash
- Chinese elm
- Desert willow (‘Bubba’ & ‘Bubba Jones’)
- Foothills palo verde
- Shoal creek vitex
You can arrange to pick up your order at one of several nurseries around town.
Choosing a Tree That’s Right for You
If you aren’t familiar with these trees, you may be wondering which would be best for your yard. They vary greatly in size (12 to 50 feet), water use (very low to moderate), and appearance. Some have beautiful flowers, and one has colorful fall leaves. All are deciduous or semi-deciduous.
You should not plant a tree willy-nilly, even if it’s $5. The wrong tree in the wrong spot can be a costly mistake if the tree eventually needs arborist care or removal.
Here’s a summary of the current TEP trees so you can decide which makes the most sense for your situation. You can learn more about any of these trees by clicking on the link to see a comprehensive plant profile.
Fun Fact!
TEP has distributed more than 175,000
trees since this program began in 1992.
Arizona Ash
Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina) is a large, deciduous shade tree that turns golden-yellow in the fall. As the name implies, it’s native to parts of Arizona, but also grows naturally in California, Utah, Nevada, and Texas.
It’s a substantial tree that needs plenty of room. It grows moderately fast and can reach a mature size of 40 feet tall by 30 feet wide.
Even though Arizona ash is a southwest native, it grows in canyons and along streams, and is a riparian rather than a desert tree. So it is not a low water use tree, and requires more water than typical desert trees, especially when young.
Arizona Ash Summary
| Common Name | Arizona ash |
| Scientific Name | Fraxinus velutina |
| Origin | Southwestern US |
| Ornamental Value | Large shade tree, fall color |
| Cold Hardiness | To -10℉ |
| Mature Size | 40’ high x 30’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
Chinese Elm
Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is a deciduous tree with a large, umbrella-like canopy that can ultimately reach a size of 50 feet tall and wide. Even though it’s native to temperate regions of Asia, it withstands harsh desert conditions and is tolerant of urban settings, provided it receives adequate irrigation. Like Arizona ash, it needs a moderate amount of water.
Chinese evergreen provides dense shade. This might be just what you’re looking for, but keep in mind that few desert landscape plants thrive in deep shade. So this tree could adversely affect your existing landscaping.
Chinese Elm Summary
| Common Name | Chinese elm |
| Scientific Name | Ulmus parvifolia |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Ornamental Value | Large shade tree, dense shade |
| Cold Hardiness | To 0℉ |
| Mature Size | 30-50’ tall & wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
Desert Willow (Cultivars)
Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a small, deciduous, ornamental tree native to the Sonoran Desert. It’s not related to the typical thirsty willows (Salix), but is a very low water use tree that can survive on as little as 2” of annual rainfall in its native habitat.
The Trees for Your Program offers two cultivars — desert willow ‘Bubba’ (Chilopsis linearis ‘Bubba’) and desert willow ‘Bubba Jones’ (Chilopsis linearis ‘Bubba Jones’).
From spring through fall, desert willow ‘Bubba’ is covered with large, two-tone, deep pink flowers that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Compared to the parent plant, ‘Bubba’ has thicker, glossier leaves, lusher foliage, and produces fewer seed pods.
‘Bubba Jones’ has the same attributes as ‘Bubba’, except its flowers are bright bubblegum pink.
Desert Willow Summary
| Common Name | Desert willow |
| Scientific Name | Chilopsis linearis |
| Origin | Sonoran Desert (cultivars) |
| Ornamental Value | Pink flowers, long bloom season |
| Cold Hardiness | To -10℉ |
| Mature Size | 25’ tall & wide |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
Foothills Palo Verde
Foothills palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) is a medium size tree with bright green bark and creamy yellow flowers that have one distinctive white petal. It’s one of the most common trees in the Sonoran Desert and is considered a keystone species. It is an extremely low maintenance, low water use addition to desert gardens.
It’s a wonderful tree for attracting wildlife — hummingbirds, bats, butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators feed on the nectar. It is a larval host for many species of moths. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds and use the tree for shelter.
It is semi-deciduous, losing its leaves in drought or cold, and is normally leafless for part of the year.
Foothills Palo Verde Summary
| Common Name | Foothills palo verde |
| Scientific Name | Parkinsonia microphylla |
| Origin | Sonoran Desert |
| Ornamental Value | Yellow flowers, green bark |
| Cold Hardiness | To 15℉ |
| Mature Size | 25’ high x 15’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun |
| Water Needs | Very low |
Shoal Creek Vitex
Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous plant that naturally grows as a large shrub but is usually pruned to grow as a small, multi-trunk tree. It has aromatic, palm-shaped leaves the size of your hand.
From late spring through summer, this Mediterranean native explodes with a profusion of purple flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Shoal Creek vitex (Vitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’) is the most popular chaste tree cultivar. It has a dense, compact form that stays under 15 feet tall. It produces large spikes of violet-blue flowers.
Shoal Creek Vitex Summary
| Common Name | Chaste tree |
| Scientific Name | Vitex agnus-castus |
| Origin | Mediterranean, Western Asia (cultivar) |
| Ornamental Value | Purple flowers |
| Cold Hardy | To 0℉ |
| Mature Size | 10-15′ tall & wide |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part, reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
Caveats About Arizona Ash & Chinese Elm
Before you choose either the Arizona ash or the Chinese elm for your garden, there are a few things to consider.
Size
Both trees grow to be huge, up to 40 or 50 feet tall. If you live in a typical urban or suburban home, these trees can ultimately overwhelm the average yard. And if you live in a community with an HOA, these trees might not be on the approved list for this reason.
Water
Chinese elm and Arizona ash are not truly xeric and need moderate (rather than low) amounts of water. This should be a concern if you are watching your water bill. When these trees mature, they can require large amounts of water — to the tune of hundreds of gallons per watering.
These trees can also become a hidden problem when grown near desert plants. Watering a large tree could make the ground too wet for saguaros, ocotillos, or other truly desert plants in your yard, even if they don’t seem that close. Saguaro roots can extend over 100 feet beyond the base of the plant! Many people unknowingly kill their treasured desert plants this way.
Leaf Debris
These trees drop a lot of leaves, so be sure you won’t mind dealing with them. When your tree is small, you might find raking or blowing leaves an enjoyable pastime, but it could become an overwhelming chore when the tree matures.
A Final Word
Trees for You is a great program if you’re looking for trees on a budget. If you’re expecting a typical size, garden center tree, you may be in for a surprise. TEP trees are typically quite small, usually a few feet tall. (Learn more ways to find desert landscape plants on a budget here.)
Growing these trees seems to be hit or miss. Some gardeners have had success, while others have experienced disappointment in their TEP trees. But for the price, you may find it worth a chance.
If you’re new to growing trees in the desert southwest, the articles below can help you get your tree off to the best possible start. Learn how to dig a proper hole, the best times to plant, how to water, and more.
Recommended Reading:
What to Plant in Spring (Month by Month)
5 Reasons to Plant in the Fall (not spring)
How to Dig a Hole in the Desert
How to Water Desert Trees: How Often? How Much?
12 Reasons Desert Plants Die (& prevention tips)
Note that the TEP selections can change without notice. Other trees that have been offered recently include:
So don’t be surprised if the list changes from season to season.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for over 15 years.
Photo Credits
Tmasjeg, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Henderson County Master Gardener Association
Peter Chadzidocev, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons