Quercus arizonica

Last updated

Arizona white oak
Quercus arizonica.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Subgenus: Quercus subg. Quercus
Section: Quercus sect. Quercus
Species:
Q. arizonica
Binomial name
Quercus arizonica
Quercus arizonica range map 1.png
Synonyms [3]
  • Quercus arizonica var. wootoniiTrel.
  • Quercus endemicaC.H.Mull.
  • Quercus sacameTrel.

Quercus arizonica, the Arizona white oak, is a North American tree species in the beech family. It is found in Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sinaloa, and Durango. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Description

The Arizona white oak is one of the largest southwestern oaks. This tree may grow to 60 feet (18 meters), with a trunk diameter of 1 m (3 ft 3 in). It has stout branches and a spreading crown. The leaves are about 8 centimetres (3+14 inches) long, thick, and evergreen. It grows very slowly once it has become mature, adding approximately 0.25 cm (332 in) of diameter per year. [7]

Distribution and habitat

The Arizona white oak can be found in a vast array of habitats such as savannas, grasslands, and chaparrals. They are usually found in mountain-like areas that are above about 5,495 ft (1,675 m) in elevation. Water use is low and it requires sun or part shade. Soil moisture must be dry and it must be rocky or sandy soils. Soils may be clay loam, clay, medium loam, or rocky. The Arizona white oak is both heat and cold tolerant.

Ecology

Fire

When Arizona white oaks are small they usually die by fire. The acorns are usually killed by fires as well. The foliage is extremely flammable but larger trees usually survive fires that are not as severe and if a stump survives a fire it will sprout rapidly afterwards.

Threats

The wood decaying fungus Inonotus andersonii affects the Arizona white oak negatively. Burning and herbicide treatment has also affected the growth of the Arizona white oak, so they are being managed by pinyon-juniper silvicultural systems.

Uses

The wood is usually used for fuel. Since the wood of the Arizona white oak is hard, heavy, and strong, it is rarely used for commercial reasons such as furniture production.

The Arizona white oak provides cover for such animals like deer, turkeys, javelinas, desert sheep, songbirds, and quail. The white tailed deer is also known to utilize it for cover. For white-tailed and mule deer, the Arizona white oak is highly palatable as well. The only species known to consume the acorns in quantity is the thick-billed parrot. [9]

The Arizona white oak can also be used as an ornamental plant.

Related Research Articles

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<i>Quercus muehlenbergii</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus velutina</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus virginiana</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus macrocarpa</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus shumardii</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus gambelii</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus engelmannii</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus lyrata</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus chrysolepis</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus pagoda</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus havardii</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Quercus grisea</i> Species of oak tree

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<i>Lycium pallidum</i> Species of flowering plant

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References

  1. Kenny, L.; Wenzell, K. (2015). "Quercus arizonica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  2. "Quercus arizonica", NatureServe Explorer, NatureServe, retrieved 2007-07-06
  3. "Quercus arizonica Sarg.", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families , Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew via The Plant List Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  4. "Quercus arizonica", County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA), Biota of North America Program (BONAP), 2014
  5. SEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona chapter
  6. Little Jr., Elbert L. (1976). "Map 131, Quercus arizonica". Atlas of United States Trees. Vol. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). US Government Printing Office. LCCN   79-653298. OCLC   4053799.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nixon, Kevin C. (1997), "Quercus arizonica", in Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.), Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA), vol. 3, New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA
  8. Sargent, Charles Sprague 1895. Garden & Forest 8: 92-93
  9. Peattie, Donald Culross (1953). A Natural History of Western Trees. New York: Bonanza Books. p. 439.