Tohono Chul is aglow with excitement for its participation in the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Palo Verde Bloom Festival, which takes place throughout April.

Tohono Chul, the vibrant 49-acre botanic garden, arboretum and nature preserve that showcases the beauty, art and culture of the Sonoran Desert, boasts more than 1,000 palo verde trees, bursting with vibrant seasonal golden blooms.

In honor of this citywide celebration of spring in the Sonoran Desert, highlighting Arizona’s state tree, Tohono Chul offers some fun facts about the beloved palo verde, courtesy of Arizona State Parks:

The palo verde was designated as Arizona’s state tree in 1954.

Palo verde means “green stick” in Spanish, and aptly describes the tree, whose bark’s photosynthesis process gives the tree its verdant color.

The palo verde’s spring blossoms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, providing them with nectar.

The leaves of the palo verde tree shed during times of drought to conserve water.

The palo verde is significant to Arizona’s Native American tribes. The trees use in and for food, medicine, tools, ceremonies and art represent tribes’ deep connection to their natural environment.

Throughout the month, guests are invited to immerse their senses at the largest public garden display of palo verde trees in Tucson, with thousands of blooming trees abloom throughout the preserve.

Visitors can stroll through the vibrant gardens along meandering pathways, shop for curated crafts, enjoy a meal or snack at the Garden Bistro featuring seasonal specials inspired by palo verde blossoms, and experience Tohono Chul’s local art galleries.

A representative of Tohono Chul is available to speak further about the significance of the palo verde tree in Arizona, the Palo Verde Bloom Festival and more about Tohono Chul itself for news stories and television segments.

For more about the Palo Verde Bloom Festival, visit https://paloverdebloom.org/. For more about Tohono Chul, visit https://tohonochul.org/.