Joshua Trees as wood base in southern CA??

Living here in Joshua Tree, CA (Mojave desert), there are not many real trees to be found. But we have a few the joshua "trees". Does anyone know how well these tree branches/stumps would work for one's hugelkultur wood?

It is quite soft and may break down faster than other, harder woods. Has anyone done this before?

In the Hugles-HOT-Drylands discussion, the conclusion is that hugel beds don't work well in hot arid climates. The alternative is to bury organic material but not create a hill, or hugel.

The same thread mentions a permaculture group in JoshuaTree. Maybe you could contact them.