KEYSTONE+ PROJECT - Desert Ironwood Tree

Desert ironwood play an important role in the survival of more than 500 other species of plants and animals in the Sonoran Desert. The ironwood tree is a nurse plant to multiple understory plants, shading them in the summer heat and providing frost protection in winter. Over 150 bird species nest, forage, and shelter in the tree. The seeds and pods are not only a food source for many animals, they also enrich the desert soil. Some trees are estimated to be over 800 years old.