Can I Sterilize A Honey Mesquite Tree To Keep It From Flowering And Producing A Mess?

Question

We have a mulched planter w a few annuals under our honey mesquite tree that get covered first w yellow pollen (which is an allergen for me), and then dried pods. Can I spray anything on it like we do for our olive trees to keep it from making such a mess?

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Answer 1

Sterilizing a tree is a tricky proposition, even for arborists. There are products on the market that can help prevent fruit set but they must be applied in a small window of opportunity and there are no guarantees. Whatever works on your olive trees may work here, too. You may want to give your closest extension agent a call and see what he or she recommends. Here is more:

https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=277825

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/fruit-tree-sterilization.htm

https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=542637