It's been my experience that the home owners usually listen to the people who tell them what they want to hear.
(confirmation bias)
It sounds like a lot of water to me for desert adapted trees... But... I wouldn't have waited until spring to plant. Around here, Autumn is when we plant... too hot too fast for spring plantings...
I googled 29 Palms...
Out by Joshua Tree National Park... Really wouldn't expect either of these trees to be suitable...
I've seen pinion growing as naturals in the New Mexico mtns... but out in the desert? Seems iffy.
How is the home owner allowed to use this amount of water?
Sorry... more questions than answers.
