Tree of Merit, Becky Schwartz Reports:
urban-forestry.com 39
"Becky Schwartz Reports" is a
journalistic take on the Tree of
Merit series where Becky celebrates
the diverse ecoregions of the
U.S. by collaborating with urban
foresters in these unique areas.
Putting a Dent-on the Monterrey Oak
I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit Texas;
however, my parents both lived in Abilene before I
was born. My Mom recalls the tumbleweeds and dry,
brown summer lawns, but never relayed any of her
experiences with the trees. This curiosity led me to
reach out to City of Denton, Texas Urban Forester
and fellow MFI 2020 Grad Haywood Morgan.
Monterrey oak or Mexican white oak (Quercus poly-
morpha) is a medium-sized shade tree; in urban
settings, it reaches 30 to 40 feet (9.1 to 12.2 m) at
maturity. It's native to southern Texas and northern
Mexico and thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and 9.
Haywood says that its tolerance of long, hot, droughty
summers; resistance to oak wilt; and tolerance of
high-pH and sandy soils make it an underutilized
selection for the urban forest in these conditions.
Haywood sees promise for planting this species near
major transportation corridors after young Monterrey
oaks there survived 2021's long, uncharacteristi-
cally harsh winter. "There was only a small amount
of tip dieback—that the trees later recovered from,"
he says. He has worked with Keep Denton Beautiful
to give away more than 400 Monterrey oaks to
private property owners. Fortunately, Monterey oak
is readily available in Denton-area nurseries. >>
Leathery leaves of
Monterrey oak, by
Haywood Morgan.
Acorns of Quercus polymorpha.
iNaturalist Photo 24212217,
(c) Adriana Nelly Correa
Sandoval, CC BY 4.0
Monterrey oak or Mexican white oak (Quercus polymorpha)
taken in San Antonio, Texas. Photo Courtesy A.J. Thibodeaux.
