interplanting with dryland legume trees

[stephan leimroth <slimerote@yahoo.com>]

Hello, All.

I'd like some opinions about interplanting desert
legume trees (acacia, mesquite and palo verde) with
fruit and nut trees in a dry, Mediterranean climate
(inland central California). I'm aware of the use of
legume trees in 'alley cropping' as a source of
nitrogen-rich mulch in moist climates, but i wonder if
this system works in a dry climate in which (surface)
decomposition is slow.  I'm also concerned that the
legume trees may just fiercely out-compete the fruit
and nut trees for our precious water.  

Last year we hand dug small swales and ran a drip
system along the contour of an approximately 20% slope
and planted about 40 fruit and nut trees along these. 
We left what we think is enough room for the legume
trees between each of the fruit or nut trees if we
decide to go for it.

Thanks for any ideas, opinions, or resources!

Kind regards,
Stephan Leimroth
Bradley, California

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