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Quercus texana
Quercus texana Buckley
Nuttall Oak, Texas Oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Synonym(s): Quercus nuttallii, Quercus nuttallii var. cachensis, Quercus rubra var. texana, Quercus shumardii var. microcarpa, Quercus shumardii var. texana
USDA Symbol: QUTE
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Nuttall oak typically matures to about 75 feet in height and spreads about 60 feet, though some specimens can reach 140 feet with a spread of more than 100 feet. It is a deciduous oak known for its red to orange-red late-fall foliage. It's bark is grayish brown to black and furrowed with flat ridges. Similar to Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), but it's acorns are more elongate. Acorns egg shaped and up to 3/4 inch long.
Often confused with Buckley Oak (Quercus buckleyi), which was once illegitimately called Quercus texana.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Lobed
Leaf Apex: Acute
Leaf Base: Rounded
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 140 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , IL , KY , LA , MO , MS , TN , TXNative Distribution: Range in Texas is limited to extreme East Texas.
Native Habitat: Flood plains and bottomlands.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Wet clay soils along streams.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Deer, scrub jays, turkey and squirrels eat the acorns.Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Propagation
Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately – outdoors or in deep containers to accomodate long initial taproot. Many oaks require cold temperatures to initiate shoot development. Protect outdoor beds withSeed Collection: Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Prevent complete soil dryness, Prune to maintain shape, May be pruned 12 mo. out of the year, Fertilize 3 times a year with lawn fertilizer 3:1:2 ratio
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | OBL | FACW | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 766 - Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide (2002) Groom, D.Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
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From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1988 VOL. 5, NO.4 - Controlling Oak Wilt, Jubilee Celebration Expands Endowment, Director\'s Report...Additional resources
USDA: Find Quercus texana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Quercus texana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus texana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2019-09-16Research By: TWC Staff