Last fall we had the chance to work with the BLM at Palmeritas Ranch doing work on some large non-native trees. Huge Eucalyptus and Salt Cedar (Tamarix sp) trees had been planted early in the history of the ranch. These trees were historic in and of themselves, but were a threat to the historic ranch buildings which are being restored. We met with BLM personnel and decided to re-top the Salt Cedars so they would pose no further threat (with regular maintenance). We decided on removing some of the most dangerous limbs on the Eucalyptus trees and then just thin and clean them of suckers and deadwood. The journey from Wickenburg takes several hours (with trailers) so we planned to camp overnight and work two days.
We enjoyed our time at the ranch and I wanted to share a few pictures that I took during our stay.
Mud Tires on the Truck to help get in to the ranch – Super Dusty!
We needed the lift to work on these huge trees. The road down the bluff is steep and covered with loose rocks. We were fortunate that the BLM personnel had a backhoe on-site in case we needed a boost to get back out!
Salt Cedars Looming Over Ranch House
Working on a Eucalyptus with the Lift
Wendell in the lift viewed from the cemetery
Pioneer Cemetery at Palmeritas Ranch
The old cemetery is located up the side of the canyon just to the south of the ranch buildings. There is a pipe fence around it to offer some protection from livestock.
Grave marker for Jesus Fass, one of the early inhabitants.
Restoration in Progress
Adobe Blocks made on-site by BLM personnel for restoration
The guys from the BLM love this place and spend a lot of time working on restoring the buildings using appropriate technology. They were telling us about proper adobe construction techniques and demonstrated some things to us while we were there (after hours of course!).
You have to be patient to work with adobe, just a couple blocks at a time or the mortar (mud) with squeeze out!
Here is a Mesquite Tree root that was found growing inside the wall of the adobe house!
There are many areas where the original adobe construction is in pretty good shape, but there are also areas where a lot of work needs to be done!
It would have been faster to demolish all the structures and start from scratch, but since these are historic buildings everything that can be preserved, must be preserved.
A view from the top of the canyon showing the area where we worked.
A view downstream along the Santa Maria River, the Arrastra Mountain Wilderness on the right. The confluence with the Big Sandy River can be seen in the distance.
A view from the top of the canyon above the ranch buildings looking upstream (east) along the Santa Maria River. The Arrastra Mountain Wilderness is on the left.
The long (and dusty!) road home.
Palmeritas Ranch can be accessed by taking the Alamo Lake Rd north from Wenden. Turn at the sign for the Wayside Inn as you get near the lake, and follow Palmeritas Rd east from the Wayside. Vehicular traffic is not allowed in the wilderness area to the north of the ranch, so this area would need to be explored on foot. I would recommend a 4×4 vehicle, as the road down the bluff above the ranch buildings is steep and covered with loose rock. The road from the Wayside Inn to the top of the bluff is pretty good, just a few washboards and soft sand in some wash crossings.
There is a pretty modern pit toilet located to the west of the historic ranch buildings. Water (labeled as non-potable) is available at the ranch. If you visit, please respect the work that has been done to these historic buildings!
Very interesting Paul. It looks like a beautiful place!
Hi, been reading your blog with great interest for months , thanks for the insight!
I live in Joshua tree , Ca. I transplanted 3 trees last august, 2 are doing well but 1 is struggling. The happy trees are a 7′ deodor and a 4′ aleppo. The struggler is an 8′ aleppo that looked fine for the first 2/3 months but is getting browner and browner needles.
I dug the trees out from another desert property getting as much root ball as possible- about 18” – 24” long roots on the struggler. I followed the planting and watering techniques you recommend. The soil is quite sandy. I watered 2x week at first, then every 5 days in the fall, once a week since the winter.
All the trees have wide water wells.
Is there hope for the pine? How long before I remove it and try a different tree? More water? Less? My hunch is the roots never ”took hold” since the other trees are happy with a similar water schedule. thanks, bill
Bill, I am glad the blog has been informative for you! I would wait to see if anything greens up this spring. If not, it is likely dead. You obviously did something right, as the other 2 are doing well. I think your percentages are actually pretty good having 2 survive. I’m pretty pessimistic about transplanting trees in the desert. I think your water schedule sounds reasonable. You want to saturate the soil at least 18″ deep, then let it fairly well dry out between waterings (that’s the theory). I hope it makes it, but probably it won’t. Take care, Paul
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your time and support on behalf of my family and I.
I will contact the BLM Kingman Field Office.
Also, there is a book about the Palmeritas Ranch and Fass Family during the 1860’s titled “The Spanish Influence in Arizona in the 1860’s by Anne O’Neal”
This is an ebook and can be viewed or purchase online for about $3.
regards,
Lawrence Rodriguez
212-722-8577
Lawrence, Thank you for taking the time to call. I hope the Kingman Office can be of help, as I am sure you can be a help to them! Take care, Paul
I would like to get a copy of our family history I am from south Tucson Arizona. My number is 5207895329 it would be good for me when i run for Congress i
n 2016 CD3.
Just Bought My Tata’s & Nana’s Antonio V. Fass and Luz B. Fass House in City of South Tucson Arizona.
Working on Registration The Fass Families House as Historical.
BLM any information would be Very Appreciative.
Thanks Eddie Fass Badilla.