Oak, Monterrey

COMMON NAMES: Monterrey Oak, Mexican White oak, Mexican Oak
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus polymorpha  (KWER-kus poly-MORF-ah)
FAMILY: Fagaceae (Beech Family)
TYPE: Deciduous to semi-deciduous shade tree in most of the state, evergreen in the southern tip and in Mexico.
HEIGHT: 40 to 60 feet
SPREAD: 30 to 40 feet
FINAL SPACING: 20 to 30 feet

NATURAL HABITAT AND PREFERRED SITE: Native from Eastern Mexico and Guatemala to far south Texas. There is a grove growing near the Devil River in Val Verde County near Del Rio.

IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION: Monterrey oak is a deciduous to evergreen medium sized shade tree that has thick, rounded, dark green leaves. It ranges from deciduous to evergreen and has little to no fall color.

FLOWERS AND FRUIT: Male and female flowers (catkins) on the same tree. Fruit are acorns that produce annually.

 

BARK: Smooth texture and light gray when young developing a heavier texture with age.

FOLIAGE: Leathery blue green leaves that are 3 to 4 ½ inches long, untoothed, rounded, smooth surfaced and dark bluish–green.<

CULTURE: Easy to grow in well-drained soil with one exception – freeze damage is a possibility in the northern part of the state. It has done very well however in the Dallas/Fort Worth area through several severe winters.

PROBLEMS: Few other than possible freeze damage in the far northern part of the state.

PROPAGATION: Propagation by planting the acorns.

INSIGHT: Beavers seem to love chewing on this tree – learned that the hard way. Monterrey oak is said to be a trademarked name owned by Lone Star Growers of San Antonio although that may have been changed.