HOw To THE LOVELY LITTLE HUISACHE TREE

Huisache Tree on our Property

Thought you might like to see this.  This is a Huisache tree, it's pronounced "wee-satch" or sometimes "we-sach".  It's an odd little native tree that is from the "Legume" family.  Yes, it's related to peas!  I've never seen these trees before, but since the property has lost some vegetation due to last year's drought, we spotted this one over the weekend!  It was hidden in previous years by heavier growth and possibly had no flowers in years past, as late freezes can prevent blooming.  This is a first for us.  There are also two more that we haven't walked over to yet.  We spotted them on the way out Sunday.  I said "what is that yellow tree over there?" and jumped out of the car to take a picture.  I had already taken off my boots and left them back at the farmhouse and since the ground was muddy and the sun was setting, I couldn't get near it.  My plan is to venture over to them this weekend and get some better pictures from close up.

Now as pretty at this tree is, the flowers apparently only last for a few weeks, and the tree is left with green leaves.  The flip side is that the flowers are supposed to be so aromatic, they are highly prized for use in perfumes.  As with so many things in nature that are often beautiful, this tree is also covered in thorns!  It's similar to a "Mesquite" tree (same family as well) in that respect and even produces bean pods in the fall.  I can't wait to go check out the fragrance up close and personal.

UPDATE:  I did check it out up close and it has an interesting scent.  It's different, sweet, but not like anything I've smelled that I could compare it to.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I did some research online and discovered some interesting facts about our yellow trees:  The dried seed pods were made into ink; the juice of the green pod was used as a glue for pottery;  the bark was used for drying skins and treating influenza; the roots were smashed into a treatment for TB; crushed leaves were used as wound dressing; and the flowers were made into an ointment for treating headaches.

We're so happy to have these amazing little trees on our property.  Who knows, maybe I'll have to experiment with some of these techniques in our quest to become more self sufficient.  Isn't nature wonderful?