Improving the lives of individuals, neighbors and communities
through the beautification of their streets.

The Garden Club of San Miguel is planting trees in San Miguel through our TREE FUND. The mission of the TREE FUND is to plant as many trees as possible in colonias that are unable to organize and finance tree planting on their own. These trees are necessary to increase moisture and cut down on dust and airborne bacteria as well as to beautify the streets. We plant entire streets, and the people on the street work together to complete the project.

We started planting on the barren streets in the simple but charming colonia of Santa Cruz de La Paz located off the Libramiento to Dolores Hidalgo. The TREE FUND purchases the large pirul chino trees, mixed dirt, root starter, tools and any other miscellaneous needs. The homeowners dig the holes, plant and maintain the trees. The most important part of the project is locating a “point person” on the selected street to work with and organize the other neighbors.

As of this date the “Tree Fund” had planted a total of 41 trees in the Colonia of Santa Cruz de la Paz. An individual or group may make a donation of 100 pesos or more in honor of a birthday, anniversary, death, wedding or just to celebrate life. A personalized note is sent to those being honored, or their families, letting them know trees are being planted with them in mind.

Family:
Anacardiacae
Origin:
Peru, naturalized in Mexico & California
Light:
Full sun
Temperature:
Hot, can withstand down to the low 20’s F, drought tolerant.
Pests & Problems:
The Pepper Tree Psyllid (insect)




The lacy, evergreen Pepper Tree needs very little water when established, prefers a sandy, loamy soil but is tolerant of any soil, dry or moist. It is single or multi-stemmed, dark green, moderately weeping in form, and spreads 30 – 40’ high. The flowers are off–white to yellow and produce round, reddish fruit which contain the seeds. The fruit looks like salmon eggs and has a strong pepper scent. There is some litter drop from this tree and it needs support and training for the trunk when young to establish a straight tree. This is an extremely invasive plant that will overtake other plantings. The Pepper Tree has been banned in the State of Florida because of ecological damage. Handling the leaves can cause dermatitis and the seeds in large quantities can be toxic. Brought to Mexico by the Spaniards several hundred years ago, the tree now grows wild and is referred to by the name ‘Peril’. There are other Peril trees in Mexico, however the Schinus Molle if the most common. The tree branches are used by Mexican Brujas to ‘sweep’ the body and cast away all ‘evil, bad luck, and the evil eye’. This cleansing is called “una barrida con pirul”; and is commonly used in rural Mexican communities today.

Family:
Apocynaceae
Origin:
Mediterranean & Southern Asia
Light:
Full sun, intolerant of shade
Temperature:
Warm, subtropical, can withstand light frost
Pests & Problems:
The oleander caterpillar can defoliate the tree in one to two weeks
Care:
Plant where they do not have to compete for space, they can spread 10 – 15 feet



The Oleander is an evergreen shrub and/or tree, growing up to 6m high, or are dwarf shrubs for home landscaping. The leaves are in pairs or whorls of three, are thick and leathery, dark green, long and narrow. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch in colors of white, red, pink, or yellow, come in single or double blossoms, and are sometimes fragrant. It is an ornamental plant that tolerates poor soil, is drought and pollution resistant, and can be planted in compacted soil with poor drainage. Suckers allowed to grow at the base of the plant can siphon off energy and inhibit bloom. Prune immediately after the flowers fall off. Too much nitrogen fertilizer will retard
bloom. All parts of the plant are poisonous: leaves, sap, bark and flowers; use caution where small children have access. The name Oleander is a combination of the words Llarus (laurel) and rhododendron.rel) and rhododendron.

Family:
Moraceae
Origin:
Native to Asia
Light:
Full sun
Temperature:
Hot, subject to frost
Pests & Problems:
The root system can lift walls, fences, sidewalks, & pool decking
Care:
Water and fertilize young trees




The Laurel de India has a rounded dense crown, smooth grey bark, milky sap, provides maximum shade, and is evergreen with shiny/glossy – textured foliage. The bloom is inconspicuous and propagation is from woody stem cuttings. These fast growing trees can be maintained as shrubbery, pruned and shaped as in the SMA Jardins, or left to spread as high as 60 feet. The tree will suffer frost damage; the leaves will burn and turn brown, however the tree can withstand severe pruning to rid exterior damage. It is the Laurel, which was used to make crowns for the victors in the Apollo Games, to show academic honors, and to show distinction and fame; especially in the plural, as to win laurels.

Family:
Bignoniaceae
Origin:
Brazil
Light:
Full sun
Temperature:
Tropical to subtropical climates
Pests & Problems:
Specific Watering Instructions
Care:
Plant in well drained, sandy soil




The Jacaranda is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the Family Bignoniaceae, native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and subsequently because of the rich bloom and popularity, anywhere it will live. The tree can withstand a short drop in temperature as low as 20 F. The species are shrubs to large trees. The flowers produce in conspicuous large panicles five cm long, each flower with a 5-lobed blue to purple corolla. The seedpod is an oblong to oval flattened capsule containing winged seeds pressed inside what look like two ½ inch pieces of waxed paper. The leaves are large and separated into tiny sections, and as a whole, look like finely cut ferns, shaped like a foxglove
flower.
The blue Jacaranda, Mimosifolia, is the tree most planted in San Miguel and typically blooms for 6 weeks, March – April. The tree is light and airy as opposed to a dense foliated tree. In SMA it usually looses its leaves in December and January and starts budding in late February. Delay watering until the bloom is finished (watering during bloom will usually stop the bloom). The roots have a shallow, spreading system and need deep watering to encourage the roots to seek a deeper level. Egyptian carpenters prefer the wood of the Jacaranda to make pianos. They consider the wood to produce a silky looking finish.