Argania spinosa is a very rare and little known tree with roots that first originated in Southwest Morocco (1). It is believed that the argon tree was one of the few species to survive the period of time between 65 and 1.8 million years ago, due to its ability to remain in a state or dormancy in time of drought as well as bear harsh conditions and poor soil (3). In the thirteenth century, Ibn Al Baytar, a Muslim botanist, scientist, pharmacist and physician, described the tree in his botanicals encyclopedia (3). There are now about 20 million trees in southwestern Morocco, and the tree has continued to cultivate in Libya, Israel, and Spain (1). To get this special plant to the University of Arizona campus, Warren Jones brought back Argania spinosa seeds after traveling throughout Africa and the Mediterranean (1). After planting several plants around campus, many did not survive. When the new Cherry parking garage was built in 1989, two more trees were planted and have been providing beauty and shade for UA ever since.
Natural History of the UA Campus Arboretum Specimen: Warren Jones brought seeds of Argania spinosa to Arizona from his travels in Africa and the Mediterranean. Although several trees were installed on campus in different microclimates, not all survived. In 1989, two trees were planted along the newly-built Cherry Avenue Garage: one each on a south and eastern eposure. Presumably both of these trees have been protected from frost and harsh eposure by the parking garage. Neither of them sustained damage from the 19 F temperatures of December 2003.
