Master Gardener: Palo Verde trees thrive with low water; why lemons can have multiple points

Q: I really like the appearance of the yellow flowered trees that have been blooming for the last month or more. They seem to be planted in low water-use plantings and I think that they would look good in my landscape. Can you tell me what they are?
A: I’m pretty sure that the trees that you have been admiring are Palo Verde trees. Long a popular tree in desert landscapes, their popularity in Southern California has increased as water supplies have decreased.
There are three commonly avail