Ficus Nitida/Indian Laurel Are Great Shade & Privacy Trees in AZ | AMSLandscaping

FICUS NITIDA (Ficus Microcarpa)
What are FICUS NITIDA Trees? These trees are from the Moraceae fig family and are commonly known as the INDIAN LAUREL, respectively. Though Ficus Nitida/Indian Laurel are used as a formal hedge and grow to be about 10-30 feet tall (if maintained at that height) they also can grow up to 50-60 feet tall at maturity here in our desert climate. They are even the number one tree variety purchased at Moon Valley Nursery here in Phoenix.
Ficus trees can handle the most intense summer heat here in Phoenix. The dense, thick foliage of these trees provide the absolute coolest shade available in Arizona. Because the Ficus Nitida/Indian Laurel trees grow very tall so they provide a great variety for shade. Although they do not lose their leaves completely in the winter here in Arizona, they do lightly shed throughout the year.
Back in January 2007, Ficus trees across Phoenix experienced freeze damage. Foliage and young branches can freeze during cool winters in Phoenix, but they recover quickly. Best to plant near buildings on south and east exposures so that the tree can intercept night-time long wave radiation as a heat source during the winter to guard against freeze injury.
Ficus trees do bear flowers and fruits that are small and inconspicuous. Fruits are usually yellowish green for Ficus Nitida. Leaves are bright green oval leaves, smooth light brownish grey trunks (some are multi-trunk trees) with aerial roots.
Ficus trees can grow in full sun to partial shade, for these Nitidas, avoid reflective western exposures because tree trunks are prone to sun scald injuries. Generally, sunnier locations produce the best growth.
Ficus trees require watering regularly, but longer deep waterings are recommended to promote deep root growth. We even see them get much larger where flood irrigation exists throughout the valley. See our recommended watering guidelines at azlawns.com/watering
Ficus trees are also tolerant to the soils of Phoenix. They perform best in sandy or loamy soils. If using the Ficus Nitida columns for privacy we recommend spacing them out between 3-5 feet apart and letting them fill in.
Ficus is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Their leaves contain a sap that can be very irritating to dogs, either on the skin or when ingested. Ficus poisoning can happen when they eat any part of the ficus plant. Here is a great blog about symptoms and treatment if your pet consumes any part of these trees.
wagwalking.com...
In summary, we recommend Ficus Nitida/Indian Laurel for creating a hedge barrier or for large multi-trunk shade trees that need more room to grow. These trees are pretty low maintenance if there is room to grow its natural size. They can grow tall pretty quickly unless we get an unusually cold winter and their trunks need to be protected with shade or their foliage. Their roots have an extensive amount of surface roots so deep watering is always better.
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[@yanhakobyan1003]

Great video! We planted about 80 here in SoCal about 3 weeks ago and almost half of them dropped all of their leaves. New buds have started to spourt from some of the tips of the branches recently. Read that they might be in shock from planting. We water with drip irrigation for every other day to let the soil dry out a bit. Everyone says that they will come back but I'm just a bit worried. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you kindly sir

[@wasco1989]

If you keep them short at like 7 feet tall will you be able to keep the roots from growing wild?

[@chrisd5383]

Yeah this!!

[@KenD-o5i]

Can these trees be planted against a wall?

[@AMSLandscaping]

Yes, many people put these column-style Ficus along their walls to create privacy. I recommend at least a couple feet away if you can.

[@TeamJC777]

Where is a good place to buy ficus for hedging in az?

[@paulsmith1411]

keeping ours in pots ,roots are damaging