JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Plant Common Name
Mexican White Oak, Monterey Oak, Netleaf White Oak
The fast growing Monterrey oak is a heat-tolerant shade tree with dark-green oval leaves. This partially evergreen tree is widespread across Guatemala and Mexico, and occasionally in the canyons of extreme western Texas. The bark is scale-like and gray to brown.
In spring, new leaves emerge with red or pink tones before turning fully green or bluish green, and becoming thick and waxy. They lack the lobes most often associated with oaks, and have margins that are wavy and have very small bristles. In mid to late spring, the green male flowers, called catkins, are borne on a pendent string from the reddish twigs and lack petals. After pollen is shed, the small female flowers open at the base of the young leaves at branch tips. The acorns are slightly oval to robustly round and can range in color from deep purple to brown. Small mammals and large birds use the acorns for food. The foliage remains on the tree until winter temperatures dip well below freezing, and then only a portion of the foliage drops.
Monterrey oak needs full sun and tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils. It has a shallow root system, but is remarkably drought and heat tolerant. A fast grower, it will quickly attain a pyramidal shape in its youth and then become more rounded with age. Use this oak as a shade or street tree in mild-winter regions that have loam or clay soils. The fallen leaves take considerable time to decompose and overall this species is not susceptible to any major disease problems common with other oaks in warm regions. Investigate the nursery source to ensure that a tree marked as a Monterey oak is of pure origin, and not a hybrid, possibly with diminished disease resistance or drought tolerance.
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
30'-50' / 9.1m - 15.2m (40)
30'-35' / 9.1m - 10.7m
Texas, Mexico, Central America