Chisos Red Oak – A New Mexico Native Shade Tree!

Chisos Red Oak (Quercus gravesii) is a New Mexico Native Oak that can be fast growing with annual growth of up to 4’ per year ultimately reaching 35' tall and 25' wide (see photo).

Like all oaks it has deep roots so can be planted closer to structures than surface-rooted trees like cottonwoods and mulberries. The Chisos Red Oak can be very long-lived, so plant it wisely so generations can enjoy its shade and beauty. In the wild, it is often found on drier hillsides growing in limestone soils (see photo).

It produces brilliant red-maroon fall color that then fades to a chocolate brown color (see photo).

Chocolate colored leaves hang on tree through winter, finally falling with the spring winds or when new growth begins. Chisos Red Oak does best in well-drained soils but also tolerates clay soils with low to regular water. This combination of growth characteristics make the Chisos Red Oak ideally suited as a shade and specimen tree. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4. Our container grown Chisos Red Oaks survived the -20 degree February 2011 freeze with no damage.

Written by:

Stephen Sain

Staff Plant Physiologist

Comments

Question: How close to my house can I plant a Cottonwood tree?

Cottonwoods grow to be immense trees attaining dimensions of up to 40 - 50 feet tall and wide with a root system to match. Cottonwoods have a surface root system that can heave sidewalks, crack walls and home foundations if planted too close. Cottonwoods should be planted a minimal distance from structures of at least 25 feet if not further. Trees That Please Nursery carries two varieties of cotton-less, Cottonwood Trees. Please contact us or stop by the store for more information.

Afghan Pine

The Afghan Pine ( Pinus eldarica ) is also known as Desert Pine, Eldarica Pine or Mondell Pine. Afghan Pine is native to low rainfall areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and southern Russia . In fact, when planted in areas of high rainfall (> 20” per year), it becomes susceptible to a number of diseases and rapidly declines. This problem has occurred in East Texas. The Afghan Pine thrives in heat, wind, and tolerates drought. Afghan Pine must be planted in soils with good drainage like sand. It is not suitable for poorly drained heavy clasy soils. Afghan Pines are generally pyramidal or Christmas tree shaped in form when young becoming more oval or irregular with age. The leaves of the Afghan Pine are evergreen needles usually found in groups of 2 per fascicle or sheath. Needles are shed after several years and make excellent mulch as they fall around the trees base. It has attractive trunk bark that becomes dark and furrowed with...

WEED IDENTIFICATION: SAND BUR

Sand Bur ( Cenchrus longispinus ) is native to North America. It has other names like sand spur, long-spined sand bur, hedgehog grass, and bur grass . Sand Bur is an annual grass usually growing with a prostrate growth form. It is similar in appearance to other grasses prior to seed formation. Individual plants may be 3’ in diameter, sometimes larger. Sand Bur is a common weed of sandy soils but also grows well elsewhere. Sand Bur will often root at stem nodes that are touching the ground. The root system of Sand Bur is shallow and fibrous making them easily pulled (when immature). Sand Bur produces a flowering spike. As seeds begin to form Sand Bur is easily recognized by its numerous sharp or burred seeds or long spines. As the burred seeds mature they are easily separated from the mother plant and their sharp spines stick to virtually anything. Sand Bur can disseminate its seeds long distances because its sharp spines will hitch a ride on skin, animal hides, sho...

Trees That Please Nursery

Search This Blog