Quercus rhysophylla 'MAYA' Mexican oak, loquat leaf oak

Mexican oak is not a widespread tree. It is not listed in many encyclopedias in America and is almost non existent in Europe as it is too tender to grow in most parts of the old continent. Still, there is a mention in 1979 of a special sport selected from this species. At that time Internet was yet to be born and news of any kind took long to get to the right ears. But some European growers did not sleep and began its cultivation. The result came much later - in 2006 when it was presented at a garden exhibition in Dutch town Zundert under the name Maya. Worthily it was rewarded with a gold medal as the best invention and that is the year when modern history of this beautiful tree really began. Thanks to this in 2009 good and specialty nurseries already had nice plants for sale in garden centres.

Maya is correctly called loquat leaf oak because its leaves do resemble those of eriobotrya japonica = loquat. They are large, leathery and very glossy on the surface, lance shaped to narrowly obovate with wavy margins, crimson red and hairy when they emerge, turning bright burgundy red and coppery orange, maturing to rich green in summer. They make a second flush of leaves in midsummer. They are evergreen, though leaves on freshly transplanted and not well-established plants may dry out in late winter or after too strong frost and will fall down when new leaves emerge in the spring.

Loquat leaf oak Maya is initially a fast grower and we recommend pruning it to achieve dense habit on young plants. You can cut it in early spring and for the second time in the first half of July. It allegedly tolerates most soil types but for the best results grow it in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Ours was put to acid soil and is doing great. Young trees with stems need good support for 2-3 years. We tested its hardiness down to -23°C for 3 nights (USDA zone 6) - without problems. Still, nurseries suggest avoiding exposed locations with freezing winds.

Last update 01-12-2011