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Native Plant Society of Texas

Laurel Oak

Quercus laurifolia

Other common name(s):

Swamp Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak, Diamond-leaf Oak, Laurel-leaf Oak, Water Oak, Obtusa Oak

Family:

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Flatwoods

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

40
to
80
ft.

Spread

30
to
40
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nuts, Forage

Wildlife Benefit

Caterpillars, Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Swamp laurel oak is often used as an ornamental in the South and makes a good year-round shade tree. It adapts to a wide variety of soil conditions. Native habitat: Moist soils of the southeastern coastal plain and associated with typical mesic hardwoods, and along streams and rivers. Pruning is recommended for proper growth as well as rot prevention. It is recommended to keep it with one central trunk and branch diameter less than half of the trunk. It is also suggested that vital branches be positioned 2’-3’ apart. This species is closely related to Q. nigra and Q. phellos. Caterpillars, particularly Tent caterpillars, feed on Laurel Oak foliage. WARNING: Both the fruit and leaves of the Laurel Oak are poisonous to human. Propagation: seed, stem cutting.

Comments

Blooms March-May. A short-lived, medium tree with a dense rounded crown. The bark is dark brown, turning black with deep furrows and broad flat ridges as it ages. Twigs are smooth, reddish- brown. Buds are ovoid, pointed and covered with shiny chestnut-brown scales. Leaves are broadly elliptical and thin, 1 1⁄4 – 4 3⁄4 inches long, 5⁄8 – 1 3⁄4 inches, with bristle tips. The may be irregularly 3-lobed, shiny green on the upper surface and pale green below with a yellow midrib. Inconspicuous flowers are clustered on male and female catkins. The fruit is an nearly round, dark brown acorn, 5⁄8 inch in length acorn, with a saucer-like cup and pubescent scales.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Quercus hemisphaerica, Quercus obtusa, Quercus phellos var. laurifolia, Quercus succulenta

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Plant outdoors or in deep containers to accommodate long initial taproot. Many oaks require cold temperatures to initiate shoot development. Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QULA3 2) http://www.perenual.finalfees.com/plant-species-database-search-finder/species/6502
Semi-harwood Cutting Remove leaves from the lower half of each cutting, leaving some at the top for photosynthesis. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Fill a pot with a well-draining soil mix, such as half perlite and half peat. Plant the cuttings about 2 inches deep into the soil. Gently firm the soil around the cuttings. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or place it inside a mini greenhouse to maintain high humidity levels. Make sure there is some air circulation to prevent mold growth. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Place the pot in indirect sunlight. The cuttings should root in about 6-8 weeks. Check periodically for root development. Once rooted, gradually acclimate the young plants of laurel oak to less humid conditions before transplanting them outdoors. Select a planting location with well-drained soil and partial to full sun exposure. Regular watering is crucial in their first year, tapering off as they establish and adapt to natural rainfall. Choose semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy branches of laurel oak in early fall. Cuttings should be 6-8 inches long with several leaf nodes. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Quercus_laurifolia.html#:~:text=Sterile%20Potting%20Mix,Step%202 2) http://www.perenual.finalfees.com/plant-species-database-search-finder/species/6502

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason