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Native Plant Society of Texas

Lacey Oak

Quercus laceyi

Other common name(s):

Texas Blue Oak, Canyon Oak, Smoky 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.

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau
Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

20
to
50
ft.

Spread

20
to
25
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Shallow, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nuts

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Maintenance

Perfect for small yards. Slow growing. It is in the white oak group and therefore less susceptible to oak wilt. May be pruned for shape or to raise canopy. Native distribution is restricted to the Chihuahuan Deserts and Edwards Plateau Ecoregions in Texas and Mexico. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. A medium sized tree, sometimes multiple trunks. Leaves are deciduous, thick, waxy, and oblong with a few shallow lobes. Foliage is peach-colored in spring and fall; dark-blue or grayish-green in summer. Tiny flowers are arranged on a catkin. The fruit is an acorn. Provides food and cover for deer and birds.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Quercus glaucoides

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) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QULA. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Quercus+laceyi&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=12159&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=195180#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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 immediately outdoors or in deep containers to accomodate long initial taproot. They sprout immediately without dormancy period. Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QULA
Stem Cutting Use a clean, sharp knife to make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Remove the lowest leaves to expose 1-2 inches of the stem. If available, dip the cut end in rooting hormone to enhance root development. Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix, such as a combination of peat and perlite. Insert the cut end of the cutting into the soil, ensuring at least one node is buried, as roots and new shoots will form from these nodes. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain high humidity. This is crucial for lacey oak, as it helps prevent the cutting from drying out before it can root. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the pot in a location with indirect light. Rooting typically occurs in 4-8 weeks, after which you can gradually acclimatize the new lacey oak plant to less humid conditions. Choose healthy, new growth branches from lacey oak in early summer. These cuttings should be approximately 6-8 inches long and have several sets of leaves. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Quercus_laceyi.html

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