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The mesquite tree (Prosopis laevigata) is characteristic of the vegetation in the arid regions of Mexico and other parts of the world. This tree has socioeconomic value for its seeds are used to produce flour and to feed small species livestock in rural homes backyards (named solares. in Mexico). Mesquite is also valued for its flowers and wood. The objective of the study was to quantify the pod yield of mesquite (kg MS ha-1), characterizing its morphology and analyze its chemical composition in six municipalities of the Potosino highlands of México. The experimental design was completely random, with a sample size of three trees per municipality, in six municipalities of the state of San Luis Potosí. The morphological characterization and the evaluation of the chemical composition allowed to identify three variants (A, B, C) of mesquite pods. The estimated mesquite pod yield was 3.7 Mg ha-1 at an average density of 194 trees per hectare. The normal diameter (DN) was the variable that determined the response in the pod yield (R2=0.927; p£0.05). The average mesquite pod yield was considered appropriate, given the prevailing climatic conditions in the region (400 mm precipitation and 18 °C mean temperature). Regardless of the variant, the best attributes of the mesquite pod were high content of non-structural carbohydrates (48.7%), medium level of protein (9.1%), and low level (26.7%) of neutral detergent fiber (FDN). The values are comparable to those of other conventional ingredients used for feeding cattle, therefore, they can be recommended to complement the diet of minor livestock in the Potosino highlands. The model developed to estimate pod yield of the mesquite tree (P. laevigata) from its normal diameter and height was reliable (>90%) in these municipalities and conditions of the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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