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Quercus arizonica Sarg.

Arizona white oak, Arizona Oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

USDA Symbol: QUAR

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Medium-sized evergreen tree with irregular, spreading crown of stout branches. Arizona white oak is a large semi-evergreen oak up to 55 ft. tall. Its wide spreading branches are set conspicuously at right angles to the trunk, creating an irregular, spreading crown. Oblong leaves are shed in spring. One of the largest southwestern oaks, this handsome tree reaches its greatest size in canyons and other moist sites.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin , Spike
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Height to 30 ft., width to 30 ft.
Leaf: Dull yellow-green to blue-green above.
Flower:
Fruit: Acorn 1/2 to 1 inch long.
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Males catkins yellow-green.

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Mts. of Trans-Pecos, TX, w. to AZ; also n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Rocky mt. slopes & canyons; 5000 to 7500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky and sandy soils. Clay Loam, Clay, Medium Loam, Rocky
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive
Use Wildlife: Provides cover and food for turkeys, deer, javelinas, desert big horn sheep, quail and songbirds. Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals, Substrate-insectivorous birds, Nesting site, Cover
Use Other: Although a good fuel, the hard wood is difficult to cut and split.
Attracts: Birds

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Quercus arizonica is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Dull Firetip
(Apyrrothrix araxes)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Short-tailed Skipper
(Zestusa dorus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Meridian Duskywing
(Erynnis meridianus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 766 - Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide (2002) Groom, D.
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Quercus arizonica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Quercus arizonica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus arizonica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-12-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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