Honey Mesquite
Mesquite are extremely tenacious, sprouting readily from the root crown and sending roots 100 feet or more down in pursuit of water. Actually, these trees are not all bad. They perform a service by fixing nitrogen in the soil, as has been proven by scientific testing. (you can note for yourself that shrubs under a mesquite are often bigger and healthier than those elsewhere in the area.)
Mesquite wood is somewhat heavy, hard, and strong with a thick reddish brown heartwood and a thin yellowish sapwood. It has long been underrated in Texas where it was formally almost entirely for fence posts, railroad ties, and wagon wheels hubs, and spokes. Recently it has come into it's own for such things as, attractive flooring, gunstocks, and furniture.
There is even an organization, "Los Amigos del Mesquite," which recognizes the wood and many other useful aspects of Mesquite.
Through out much of its range this is the only tree large enough to be a source of shade and fuel or timber -- especially for use as building beams.
Mesquite wood makes excellent fuel as it burns evenly with a hot flame and leaves behind good coals. For cooking, Mesquite imparts a distinctive and delicious flavor rivaled only by Hickory. and has achieved international acclaim, becoming quite the rage in many fancy restaurants.
The fruit pulp contains a relatively high sugar content and was part of the Indian diet.
Meal from the seeds was made into cakes and also fermented into an alcoholic beverage.
The flowers provide a good bee food and were sometimes eaten by the Indians.
A gum exudate from the bark was eaten like candy or dissolved in water and used for treating dysentery, sore throat, and open wounds. Later, Texans would export this gum by the thousands of pounds annually back east for the production of gum drops and mucilage.
Rough cordage was made from the root bark after soaking it thoroughly in water. Because Mesquite leafs out late, the sign of those leaves popping out is usually a good indicator that spring has
arrived and all danger of frost is past.
Many species of wildlife depend on Mesquite for food and shelter from the sun.
The national champion Mesquite has a circumference of 152 inches, is 52 feet tall, and has a crown spread of 71 feet. It is growing in Real County.
Mesquite - Prosopis glandulosa
By Art Worley
