Honey mesquite is a shrub or small tree depending on its situation. It can form a low 5' dense shrub in very arid conditions or grow to a taller 20' tree in ideal conditions where the long tap root can reach the water table. It grows naturally in arid  desert areas in sandy washes. The yellow flowers stand out against its green feathery foliage  but do be aware of the thorny spines. Honey mesquite has long been prized by animals and humans alike for the abundant long seed pods  which can be eaten fresh or ground into a highly nutritious flour. This mesquite will tolerate many types of soil; clay  sand  D.G. or alkaline and is fast growing when the roots find water. Honey mesquite provides very valuable habitat to mammals and birds and is an important food source for native bees  butterflies and other pollinators. Plant away from pathways due to the thorns. Prune in winter if you wish to shape to form a single trunk tree.