Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: silverleaf oak

Family: Fagaceae

Distribution: Southwest United States to northern Mexico

Habitat: Forest, occurring up to 2700m

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 7b 5 to 10 F

Life form: Semi-evergreen tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Silverleaf oak is a broadleaf, semi-evergreen tree, 20-33’ tall, or a shrub 6.5-10’ tall. Leaves alternate, simple, leathery, narrowly oblong to lanceolate, about 5-10 cm long and 1.2.5 cm wide, shiny yellow-green upper surface, white, silvery to creamy-cottony below, apex pointed, margin turned under, sometimes having ridged teeth; petiole 5-15 mm. Acorns light chestnut color, about 1 × 0.8 cm, conic-oblong, capsule covers 1/3 of the nut.
Best grown in full sun in well-drained soil. Tolerates drought and hot southern exposures.