Community Browse
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is proud to host a Community Browse Outreach Program, which collects chemical-free tree and shrub trimmings from the community — diverting green waste from landfills while providing nutritious food for the animals in our care.
What is Browse?
Browse refers to fresh-cut tree and shrub material that animals eat. Our largest browsers are black rhinos and giraffes, but many of our antelope, gazelles, and other ungulates enjoy it as well. And it doesn’t stop there — wallabies, tortoises, rodents, and reptiles also forage on browse, while birds use leftover branches and trunks for perching and enrichment within their habitats.
Feeding browse improves animal wellbeing in many important ways. It mirrors natural diets, provides essential nutrients, and supports healthy digestion. Browse can also take longer to consume than hay or pellets, encouraging natural foraging behaviors and increased activity. Chewing leaves and bark helps wear down teeth and strengthen jaw muscles, supporting long-term health.
Ready to donate your tree trimmings?
- Confirm that the area surrounding your tree or shrub has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides (this includes city spraying for whiteflies or mosquitoes).
- Fill out our interest form or contact our Browse Coordinator, Ash Arons at [email protected] or 760-568-9014 for our full Approved Browse Species list.
- Schedule a time with your gardener or tree trimming service to cut the browse, and notify our Browse Coordinator at least one week in advance (weekdays before 2 p.m. are preferred; weekends may be accommodated with advance notice).
Once these steps are complete, we can arrange pickup of your tree trimmings.
Please note: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is not responsible for leaf litter cleanup.
Plants We LOVE
Longleaf Acacia
Willow Acacia
Sweet Acacia
Chilean Mesquite
Bottletree
Sumac
Olive (untreated)
Blue Palo Verde
Desert Museum Palo Verde
Mulberry
Ficus
Chinese Banyan
Tipu Tree
Indian Rosewood
Catclaw Acacia
Texas Ebony
Cape honeysuckle
Desert Ironwood
Western Cottonwood
Arizona Ash
Chinese Elm
Desert Willow
Smoketree
Plants that are toxic and we cannot accept include:
Oleander
Jerusalem Thorn (Parkinsonia acuelta)
Bougainvillea
Eucalyptus
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you come cut my tree?
Unfortunately, we are only able to accept pre-cut donations. We’re happy to schedule a pickup or arrange a drop-off at the Zoo.
I don’t know what tree I have, can it be used as browse?
Please fill out our form and we’ll help identify it. Be sure to include clear photos of the leaves, trunk, flowers, and fruit (if available).
I cut my tree last week and still have the leftovers in my green waste bin, can you pick it up?
We are looking for fresh browse and aim to schedule same-day pickups. Ideally, material should be no more than two days old.
I don’t use chemicals, but my neighbor does, can you still accept it?
Please fill out our form and include details about any chemicals used, their proximity to your tree, and how recently they were applied.
I live near a golf course, can you pick up my tree trimmings?
We will need to connect with the Grounds Department of the golf course to confirm whether chemicals have been used, and if so, what type and how recently.
I won’t be home, but I can leave the branches in my driveway, can you still pick them up?
Yes, we can schedule a pickup time. Please note that The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is not responsible for cleanup of any loose leaves or branch debris.