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Native Plant Society of Texas

Texas Red Oak

Quercus buckleyi

Other common name(s):

Buckley Oak, Texas Oak, Spanish Oak, Spotted Oak, Rock 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, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Limestone Plains
Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

40
to
50
ft.

Spread

50
to
60
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Red, Green

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nuts, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Initial fast growth rate slows to moderate growth rate with age. Very little maintenance needed. A superior shade tree known for its red to orange late fall foliage. Will adapt to a range of soils, but its native habitat is associated with limestone ridges, slopes, and creek bottoms. Alternative: Shumard Oak but only in well-drained soil. 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. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Bloom March-June. A small to medium sized tree. Leaves are elliptical or oval, deeply divided into 5-9 lobes. Tiny flowers are arranged on a catkin. The fruit is an egg-shaped acorn, maturing in the second year.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Quercus texana

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours. Plant texas red oak at a depth where the soil covers the acorn to ensure adequate moisture retention and protect young saplings from harsh environmental conditions and wildlife until established. Collect healthy, mature acorns. Before sowing, carry out a float test by immersing acorns in water; those that sink are more likely viable and should be chosen for further steps. Stratification is often not required, but ensuring the acorns are free from pests and disease is crucial. 1) https://sheffields.com/seeds/Quercus/buckleyi#:~:text=Growing%20Info,Native%20to:%20Oklahoma%2C%20Texas 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Quercus_buckleyi.html#:~:text=Propagation%20Time:%20Spring,conditions%20and%20wildlife%20until%20established.
Seed Stratification Stratification: cold stratify for 60 days , or until radicle emergence. Plant texas red oak at a depth where the soil covers the acorn to ensure adequate moisture retention and protect young saplings from harsh environmental conditions and wildlife until established. Collect healthy, mature acorns. Before sowing, carry out a float test by immersing acorns in water; those that sink are more likely viable and should be chosen for further steps. Stratification is often not required, but ensuring the acorns are free from pests and disease is crucial. 1) https://sheffields.com/seeds/Quercus/buckleyi#:~:text=Growing%20Info,Native%20to:%20Oklahoma%2C%20Texas 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Quercus_buckleyi.html#:~:text=Propagation%20Time:%20Spring,conditions%20and%20wildlife%20until%20established.
Semi-harwood Cutting Remove the leaves from the bottom half of each cutting. If present, cut any large remaining leaves in half to reduce moisture loss. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Fill a pot with well-draining potting mix, like a mixture of peat, perlite, and sand. Insert the cut end of the cutting into the soil, ensuring a couple of leaf nodes are covered. Water the soil thoroughly so it is moist but not waterlogged. Place the pot in an area that receives bright, indirect light and has a consistent temperature. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or a clear plastic dome to maintain high humidity around the cutting, creating a mini greenhouse effect Check the soil moisture regularly, keeping it consistently moist. Also, check for signs of fungus or disease, and remove the covering periodically to allow for air ventilation. Over a few weeks, roots will begin to form. Gradually acclimate the cutting to normal humidity conditions before planting in a permanent location. Harvest semi-hardwood cuttings from a healthy texas red oak during the growing season. Select stems that are mature but still slightly flexible, about pencil-thickness, and 4-6 inches long, with several leaf nodes. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Quercus_buckleyi.html#:~:text=Texas%20red%20oak%20is%20a,acclimated%20to%20natural%20outdoor%20conditions.

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