Joshua trees in the Southwest are blooming beyond expectation this year

April 10, 2013

The iconic Joshua trees of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts are blooming beyond expectation this year. Joshua trees throughout the Southwest are blooming with millions of greenish-white flowers, and many biologists are trying to understand why. 

Some suggest stress as the reason behind this unexpected flowering frenzy. Others believe last year’s late-summer thunderstorms contributed to the blossoms. 

Many biologists are calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience to see so many blooming Joshua trees. More trees have bloomed this year than in past years and of those, more flowers are being produced than usual. 

Wildlife biologists say a variety of climatic factors affect the timing the Joshua trees bloom. The bloom is expected to last for a few more weeks in California although most of the trees in Arizona, along Route US 93 near Kingman have already bloomed and set fruit.