Hugelkultur with Mesquite and Hot and Dry

I am just finishing my first hugelkultur and am anticipating making more.

I am in dry, hot west Texas. I have heard a lot of “that won’t work in our climate.” So I’d love to hear from those who are doing it in a similar area.

1. Does anyone have experience with very large mesquite (with super-hard heartwood)? How long does it take to break down? I’ve been told that people have seen mesquite buried for years, decades and it never breaks down.
2. We’re looking at creating a hugelkultur in an area that’s barren dirt and sand. Very dry, nothing grows there, can hardly even get mesquite or cactus to grow there. If we dig down (with a machine), fill it with mesquite, and then pour the super pour soil over top, how quickly do you think it will take before the soil is improved?

I would use almost any other wood for hugelkultur before mesquite. It does indeed break down very slowly plus it is allelopathic. Which means it inhibits the growth of other plants. Use the mesquite for smoking a brisket & other BBQ!!!

Thanks Mike! That's about all we have around here! We have an overflowing abundance of mesquites. And very little else. Oak and cedar. I hear cedar's not good. Oak we're not cutting down.

Yes, cedar is best avoided too. Maybe collect fallen oak branches after big storms???