Common Name:
Texas red oak
Family Name:
Fagaceae
Botanical Name:
Quercus buckleyi
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Quercus buckleyi is a medium sized tree that grows to about 50 feet tall. It’s bark is grey and brown and fissured (1). Its leaves are about 2 - 5 inches long and 2-4 inches across. They are deeply divided into 5-9 lobes with several bristled tip teeth at the end (2). Foliage turns deep red in late fall. The tree produces small acorns 0.25-1.5 inches in diameter (1).
Compound:
Que buc
Geographic Origin:
Texas/Northeast Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Native to southern Texas, Northeastern Mexico, and North Central Oklahoma in alkaline soils (2). This is a very drought and heat resistant oak and can even grow in low elevation deserts like Phoenix when watered (2,3). Its name honors American geologist and botanist S.B. Buckley (2)
Cultivation Notes:
Adaptable to alkaline soils (1,2,3). While slow growing, seedlings will quickly establish a taproot that is intolerant to disturbances, so this plant should be located in its permanent location from a young age (4). Maintains a naturally rounded and somewhat vertical canopy that requires no pruning.
Ethnobotany:
The acorns of the Texas red oak are a food source for wildlife (1,4). Usually too small to harvest it’s timber, this tree is commonly used in landscaping of arid and semi-arid environments for its fall colors (4).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Green
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
