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Native Plant Society of Texas

Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica

Other common name(s):

Barren Oak, Black Oak, Jack 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.

Central Great Plains, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

14
to
45
ft.

Spread

14
to
45
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Dry, Gravelly, Sand

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Red, White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Nesting Material, Nuts

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Deer, Small Mammals

Maintenance

When given good soil and room it develops a more symmetrical form attractive for landscapes. Slow growing and long lived. In nature it is more scrubby, and sometimes grows in colonies. It is in the red oak group and therefore more susceptible to oak wilt. Prune only during the hottest and coldest months. Paint pruning wounds to help prevent oak wilt. Native habitat: poor shallow soils of glades, barrens and flatwoods, disturbed fields, rocky outcrops,

Description

Blooms March-May. A small to medium tree with a short, nearly black trunk. Leaves are wedge shaped, shallowly lobed, glossy dark green, turning dull reddish-brown in fall. Tiny flowers are arranged on a catkin. The fruit is an acorn. Larval host: Horace’s Duskywing, White M hairstreak.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 344. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMA3. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Quercus+marilandica&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=12145&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19374#null

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Seeds quickly lose viability if it is allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist and cool overwinter but is best sown as soon as it is ripe in an outdoor seed bed, though it must be protected from mice, squirrels etc. Small quantities of seed can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Plants produce a deep taproot and need to be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible, in fact seed sown in situ will produce the best trees[11]. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly. To propagate in pots, prepare a potting mix made of equal parts sand and peat moss. Fill pots with the mixture and plant the acorns about 1 inch deep. Keep the pots in a warm and well-lit area, and keep the soil moist. After 6-8 weeks, the acorns should begin to sprout. Once the seedlings have grown to 2-3 inches in height, they can be carefully transplanted into larger containers or planted in the ground. The newly propagated plants will need to be watered regularly and protected from harsh weather conditions during their early growth stages. With proper care, they will grow into healthy trees over time. Seeds (acorns) collected by hand picking or flailing it from tree as soon as acorns can be removed from caps-avoid collecting acorns that have been on the ground for several weeks. collect acorns from mature trees in the fall. Choose healthy acorns that are free of pests and damage. Clean the acorns by removing any debris or foreign objects and soak them in water overnight. 1) https://www.npsot.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=16793&action=edit 2) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=fagaceae-quercus-499&referer=wildflower 3) https://plantiary.com/plant/quercus-marilandica_3621.html#:~:text=To%20propagate%20this%20plant%2C%20you,into%20healthy%20trees%20over%20time. 4) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Quercus_marilandica.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Blackjack%20oak?&text=Blackjack%20oak%20propagates%20easily%20through,the%20soil%20is%20well%2Ddraining.
Seed Stratification Seeds (acorns) to be stratified in damp sphagnum peat moss for three or four months in 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit refrigerator. Acorns planted into individual pots deep enough to accommodate taproot or in flats to start off several seedlings, before transplanting them into individual pots. Do not let acorns dry. 1) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=fagaceae-quercus-499&referer=wildflower 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Quercus_marilandica.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Blackjack%20oak?&text=Blackjack%20oak%20propagates%20easily%20through,the%20soil%20is%20well%2Ddraining.
Semi-harwood Cutting Once you've selected your cuttings, it’s time to prepare them for rooting. Begin by trimming the leaves from the lower half of each cutting to reduce moisture loss. Next, make a small cut at the bottom of the cutting. This wounding process encourages rooting by increasing the surface area for water absorption. Using a rooting hormone can significantly enhance your success rate. Opt for a rooting hormone that contains auxins, which are natural plant hormones that promote root development. Before planting, dip the cut end of each cutting into the rooting hormone. This simple step can make a big difference in how well your cuttings take root. Creating the right environment is essential for rooting success. Maintain high humidity levels between 70-80% by using a humidity dome or covering the cuttings with a plastic bag. Temperature also plays a vital role; keep the rooting area at a steady 70-75°F (21-24°C). Additionally, provide indirect sunlight to prevent scorching, ensuring your cuttings receive the light they need without the risk of damage. start by selecting semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or earlBlackjack Oakor cuttings that arootstockches long and have at least 2-3 healthy leaf nodes. Choosing healthy stems is crucial; ensure they are free from any signs of disease or pests. This attention to detail will set the foundation for successful rooting. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Quercus_marilandica.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Blackjack%20oak?&text=Blackjack%20oak%20propagates%20easily%20through,the%20soil%20is%20well%2Ddraining.

About the Region

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This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason