Emory oak is widespread in the lower oak zone of southern Arizona, but disappears as one heads south in Sonora. It often shares slopes with Q. oblongifolia. Q. emoryi wood is very dense and makes great firewood. The acorns are considered the best in the region for eating and are commonly sold on roadsides and markets in northern Sonora.
Willow-leaf oak is closely related to emory oak, but in some areas they appear to intergrade. Its leaves are generally shinier, slimmer, longer, and brighter green. Branch tips are generally less robust than emory oak. There is overlap in range of the two species in Sonora, but generally as one heads south Q. emoryi fades out as Q. viminea becomes more common. in areas of overlap they can grow at different elevations with emory oak at the lower end of the oak zone, often with or just above blue oak.
