OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaMesquite trees are some of the toughest trees in the entire desert! They can grow in places that are so hot and dry that almost nothing else can survive. Mesquite trees also give wonderful shade to animals trying to cool off on a hot desert day.
Mesquite trees grow long seed pods that look like skinny beans hanging from the branches. These pods taste sweet, and animals like coyotes, deer, and rabbits love to munch on them. Their fallen leaves make the soil richer, which helps other plants grow nearby.
- A long time ago, Native American people used to grind mesquite pods into flour to make bread and other tasty foods.
- People still use mesquite today to flavor barbecue because the wood makes food taste smoky and delicious!
- Mesquite trees are great helpers for the desert because they make the soil better for other plants.
