In 1982 Cliff Douglas planted several hundred desert-adapted trees on 10 acres of what had been a 160-acre grape vineyard in Queen Creek, AZ. His vision was to build a wholesale nursery business, Arid Zone Trees (AZT), focused exclusively on producing and selling premium quality desert native and desert-adapted landscape trees that complemented the beauty and diversity of the Desert Southwest. Over the next 40 years, AZT expanded to 160 acres of production space and an inventory of over 90,000 trees in sizes from #25 containers to 48” boxes. Along the way AZT built a reputation for quality, integrity, and innovation.
In the early 1990’s AZT created their website,
www.aridzonetrees.com. This website has become a valuable platform used by Arizona landscape architects and related professionals to learn more about the nearly 59 species of desert-adapted trees we grew and how best to use them in landscape settings. At about this time we began publishing a monthly newsletter, Arid Zone Times, a mailed, hardcopy publication, that was later replaced by an electronic version, Arid Zone Tree-Mail. Both newsletters were archived on our website along with guest articles, timely updates on landscape architecture, new tree introductions, and innovations in tree growing and landscape maintenance. We have been gratified that these publications and the website have become a valued educational resource for the industry.
In August of 2023 AZT ceased operations as a wholesale grower of desert-adapted landscape trees ending 40years in business. We have cherished our relationships with southwestern landscape professionals and look forward to playing an active role in this vibrant and important industry. With the continuation of our website and newsletters we will, as we always have, advocate for desert-adapted trees and shrubs and endorse a landscape aesthetic that celebrates and embraces the beauty of our Sonoran Desert.
