Which tree with a mature height of 20 feet is best suited for landscaping in the southwest?

• A. Honey Mesquite
• B. Texas Sage
• C. Flowering Crabapple
• D. Chinese Elm

Answer: (A)

In Southwest landscaping, match the plant to the hot, low-water environment and the required mature size. Honey Mesquite naturally thrives in arid conditions and can be kept around a 20-foot height with pruning if needed, making it a practical, low-water option for a desert landscape. It has a deep root system, good heat tolerance, and performs well on minimal irrigation once established, which are all strong advantages for this region. The other choices don’t fit the height or climate as well: Texas Sage stays much smaller and is more of a shrub than a tree; Flowering Crabapple typically needs cooler winters and more water; Chinese Elm often grows taller than 20 feet and can require more maintenance in this climate. So, Honey Mesquite best matches a 20-foot-tall tree suitable for Southwest landscaping.