{"slug":"quercus-polymorpha","scientific_name":"Quercus polymorpha","common_names":["Monterrey oak","Mexican white oak","Netleaf white oak"],"family":"Fagaceae","type":"broadleaf_evergreen","mature_height_m":15,"mature_spread_m":11,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":null,"hardiness_zones":[7,10],"sun":"full","water":"low","soil":"Deep, well-drained soils preferred; adapts to clay and alkaline sites","native_range":"Eastern Mexico south to Guatemala, with a small native population in Val Verde County, Texas","description":"A fast-growing, nearly evergreen oak (45-60 feet) whose thick, waxy new leaves emerge pink before turning dark green. It is resistant to oak wilt, which is why it has become a popular replacement for live oak in Austin. It sheds its leaves briefly in spring as new ones emerge. Cold snaps below about 10 F can damage it.","care":"Water deeply every week or two for the first two summers. Give it deep soil and full sun. Prune in winter to develop structure and raise the canopy; oak wilt resistance means timing is less critical. Oak phylloxera can disfigure leaves but is cosmetic.","benefits":["shade","fast_canopy","drought_tolerant","wildlife","birds"],"uses":["yard_shade","street_tree","parks"],"cautions":["large_roots"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Quercus_polymorpha_kz4.jpg","image_credit":"Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUPO2","https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUPO2","https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/oak-mexican-white","https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/quercus-polymorpha","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/quercus-polymorpha.md","regions":[{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Native only to a small area of Val Verde County in West Texas; widely planted elsewhere in Texas","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUPO2"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Austin","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Oak, Mexican White'; resistant to oak wilt, provide deep soil.","source_url":"https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/oak-mexican-white"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Dallas","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List","source_url":"https://dallas.gov/departments/sustainabledevelopment/buildinginspection/DCH%20documents/pdf/BI_Approved%20Tree%20List.pdf"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Houston","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Houston Planning and Development Department Street Tree List","source_url":"https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopRegs/StreetTree_files/StreetTree.xlsx"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}