Routine care
desert landscape maintenance keeps gravel, shrubs and native plantings tidy without overpruning.
Landscaping & Lawn Care in Catalina Foothills, AZ
Below the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Catalina Foothills has the highest median home value of the Tucson-area places we track, and a median home built in 1985. We connect Foothills homeowners with independent local landscaping, lawn care, irrigation and tree companies for free, no-obligation quotes. The company you choose quotes, contracts and does the work directly with you.
Get a Free Quote Call (727) 300-6656Who lives in the Foothills
Figures are ACS 2024 5-year estimates for the Catalina Foothills census-designated place (CDP).
- 52,593 residents, median age 55.3.
- Median home value $652,000, the highest of the Tucson-area places we track; the 85718 ZIP code reaches $712,400.
- Median household income $115,304; 76.4% owner-occupied.
- Median year built: 1985, so many homes and their landscapes are around 40 years old.
Older, high-value properties tend to need careful, ongoing work rather than a fresh start: mature native trees, aging irrigation, and design updates that keep the desert character of the lot.
Native plants and mature trees
Many Foothills yards keep native mesquite, palo verde, ironwood and saguaro. Under A.R.S. §3-904(H), on residential property of 10 acres or less where homes are already built, owners can generally remove protected native plants without notifying the state. Moving or selling them is different: that requires an Arizona Department of Agriculture permit and tags. Check with the Arizona Department of Agriculture before moving or selling any native plant.
This is general information, not legal advice.
For established trees, University of Arizona guidance favors summer pruning of mesquite and palo verde, no cut sealing, and never removing more than a quarter of the canopy. Companies offering tree trimming and palm tree trimming can thin top-heavy trees before monsoon season. Palm trimming at height is specialized work; ask how the company does it safely.
Irrigation on older systems
A 1980s landscape may be on its second or third generation of drip tubing. Deep, infrequent watering matters most for mature trees: wetting the soil 24 to 36 inches deep every 14 to 21 days in summer, out to the canopy edge. Caliche, a cemented calcium-carbonate layer common in southern Arizona, can block roots and drainage, so a good irrigation check looks at where water actually goes. Compare quotes for irrigation and drip repair.
The Foothills is unincorporated Pima County, and much of it is served by Tucson Water, though service can vary by address. About 29% of Tucson Water customers live outside city limits. Check with your water provider for current rules and rebates.
Design updates
Refresh plantings and gravel with desert landscaping and xeriscape, or retire an old lawn with artificial turf.
After storms
Monsoon winds drop limbs and debris; schedule a yard cleanup and see our guide to weed control.
For typical costs, see the Tucson landscaping price guide (estimates from published cost guides, not quotes).
Catalina Foothills landscaping FAQ
Can I remove a mesquite or palo verde from my Foothills yard?
Under A.R.S. 3-904(H), owners of residential property of 10 acres or less where homes are already built can generally remove protected native plants such as palo verde, mesquite, ironwood or saguaro without notifying the state. Moving or selling them needs an Arizona Department of Agriculture permit and tags, so check with the department first.
Who supplies water in the Catalina Foothills?
Catalina Foothills is unincorporated, and much of it is served by Tucson Water, but service can vary by address. Check your water bill or ask your water provider which rules and rebates apply. Tucson Water rebates include a rainwater harvesting rebate, which requires a Watershed Management Group workshop first.
When should desert trees in the Foothills be pruned?
University of Arizona extension guidance says mesquite and palo verde do well with summer pruning, when they heal quickly in the heat. Don't seal cuts, never remove more than a quarter of the canopy at once, and thin top-heavy trees before monsoon storms, when gusts in Arizona can top 40 mph.
How often should mature desert trees be watered?
University of Arizona guidance (AZ1298) is to water mature trees deeply out to the edge of the canopy. Established desert trees should be wetted to 24 to 36 inches deep every 14 to 21 days in summer. New trees need water every two to three days during their first summer.
Nearby areas
Request free quotes from local companies serving the Foothills.
Get your yard ready before the next monsoon.
Free, no-pressure quotes across Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Vail and the Catalina Foothills.