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Native Plant Society of Texas

Havard Oak

Quercus havardii

Other common name(s):

Havard Shin-oak, Shinnery 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.

Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Arid Llano Estacado, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nuts, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Slow growing, it doesn’t get established easily. Creates a thicket in deep sands. May be several years before it begins to spread by suckers. Its rhizomes form good dune stabilization. It is in the white oak group and therefore less susceptible to oak wilt. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. A shrub or small tree with papery, light gray bark. Thick leaves are oval or elliptical, margins with deep lobes. The leaf surface is shiny, light green, with lower surface tawny and woolly. Tiny flowers are arranged in a catkin. The fruit is an acorn with a pubescent reddish-brown cup, which covers 1⁄3 – 1⁄2 of the nut.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Dip the bottom end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder and shake off excess. Plant the cutting in a pot of well-draining soil mix and water it thoroughly. Place the pot in a bright but indirect light and keep the soil moist. After several weeks, gently tug on the cutting to see if it has rooted. Once roots have formed, you can transplant the new plant into a larger container or outdoors. Take a cutting from a healthy branch that is at least 6 inches long and has several leaves attached. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. https://plantiary.com/plant/quercus-havardii_11821.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate,with%20bright%20but%20indirect%20light.
Seed Scarification Soak the acorns in water for 24 hours to remove any toxins and improve germination. Fill a pot or small container with well-draining soil mix and plant the acorn with the pointed end facing down, around 1-2 inches deep. Water the soil until it is moist but not waterlogged. Keep the pot in a warm location with bright but indirect light. Once the seedling has emerged, you can gradually acclimate it to more sunlight and outdoor conditions. Collect ripe acorns from a mature Quercus Havardii tree. https://plantiary.com/plant/quercus-havardii_11821.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate,with%20bright%20but%20indirect%20light.
Stem Layering Wrap the cut section with moist sphagnum moss and cover it with plastic wrap, securing the ends tightly. Check the moisture level of the moss regularly and mist it if needed to keep it damp. After several weeks, roots should have formed at the cut section. Cut the branch below the rooted section and pot it in well-draining soil mix. Keep the new plant in a warm, bright location with moderate humidity, watering it regularly. Select a healthy, non-flowering branch and peel off a narrow strip of bark around one-third to one-half of the stem, exposing the inner cambium layer. https://plantiary.com/plant/quercus-havardii_11821.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate,with%20bright%20but%20indirect%20light.

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