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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)

Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Red, White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nesting Material, Nuts

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. 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. Native habitat: limestone ridges, slopes, and creek bottoms.

Description

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

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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