Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - January 20, 2016

From: Amarillo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Trees
Title: Wanting to grow a Buckley Oak in Amarillo, TX
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I live in Amarillo Texas in the Texas Panhandle. I recently became interested in the Buckley Oak and was wondering if it might grow well here and if so, where I might find one that I could purchase and have shipped to my home. I'm also confused about the Texas Red Oak and the Buckley Oak, are they the same tree? Thanks

ANSWER:

The Buckley Oak Quercus buckleyi (Texas red oak),  also called Texas Red Oak, Spanish Oak, Spotted Oak, and Rock Oak, is described as a small to medium tree. It is a highly regarded ornamental and shade tree, and has vivid orange and red leaves in the autumn.

If you check the distribution map for the species , you will find that it does not naturally occur in Potter County, but does occur in Lamb County. So you may surmise that Amarillo might not be a good home for a Buckley Oak.

Quercus buckleyi was formerly known as  Quercus texana (Nuttall oak) but under botanical rules of priority, that name properly refers to Nuttall’s Oak. This has led to much confusion. (see link) . However, Quercus texana  does not naturally occur in Potter County either.

I suggest that you might contact the Amarillo Chapter of The Texas Native Plant Society for suggestions for a tree in your location.

Once you've decided on a tree, chcecking with our Suppliers Directory may help you find a nursery that sells the plant.

 

More Trees Questions

Can oak pollen be composted?
April 28, 2015 - I have quite a few live oaks in my backyard and my flower beds are filled with pollen stuff. Can I compost and mulch over this or is it a good idea to rake as much as I can out first?
view the full question and answer

Pruning Texas Mountain Laurel
September 04, 2014 - I've had a Texas mountain laurel for 4 years that's being trained into a tree. I think it was a 3-year old tree when I purchased it. Unfortunately, it has suffered from overwatering, and the two mai...
view the full question and answer

How common is white blooming Mountain Laurel
April 01, 2003 - Is white blooming Mountain Laurel common?
view the full question and answer

Pruning live oak shoots from San Antonio
September 10, 2011 - I am new to TX and am curious about removing suckers/water sprouts from my Live Oaks. Everything I've read about pruning Live Oaks states that you must paint ALL cuts, so I assume that all means al...
view the full question and answer

Trimming non-native sago from Fresno CA
September 10, 2012 - I have a sago plant, fronds are hanging over into street, can the fronds themselves be trimmed back without removing the whole frond?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.