Not True! Some of New Mexico’s native oak species can put on up to 4 feet annually. The faster growing natives include: Chisos Red Oak (Quercus gravesii), Gray Oak (Quercus grisea), New Mexico Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis), and Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii).
Native Oaks that can grow 1-2 feet annually (sometimes more) include: Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii), Sandpaper Oak (Quercus pungens pungens) Vasey Oak (Quercus pungens vaseyana), Mexican Blue Oak (Quercus oblonggfolia) and Turbinella (Quercus turbinella).
New Mexico’s native oak species make some of the best shade and specimen trees that are locally adapted to our high soil pH and conditions of low water input and high heat tolerance. They are deep rooted and so could be planted closer to structures than surface-rooted trees like cottonwoods, ash, or sycamores.
Comments