This "tree" is a native only of the Mojave Desert in the southwest US, and grows in California, Nevada and Arizona. In the National park by the same name, these species grow in abundance. Yucca brevifolia was named Joshua Tree by the Mormon settlers crossing the US in the late 19th century, as they believed they resembled an old story from Joshua, in which he lifted his hands to Heaven to pray. I am just not seeing it...