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Native Plant Society of Texas

Swamp Chestnut Oak

Quercus michauxii

Other common name(s):

Basket Oak, Cow Oak, Swamp 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.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

48
to
100
ft.

Spread

15
to
40
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Clay, Rich, Deep, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nuts, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Caterpillars, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Withstands compaction better than most oaks. Long lived, and slow growing. One of the best oaks for fall color. It tolerates wet soils and occasional flooding. It is adaptable to urban conditions and makes a great shade tree for a larger yard or park. Native habitat: well drained alluvial floodplains in the central and southern forest regions, bottomland forests, stream banks and calcareous swamps. It is in the white oak group and therefore less susceptible to oak wilt. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms Mar-May. An oak tree with a tight, narrow crown and a massive trunk. The bark is light gray. The shiny, oval, dark green leaves are grayish-green with dense pubescence below. They have large, rounded teeth. Tiny flowers are clustered on catkins that appear at about the same time as the leaves. The fruit is an acorn. Larval host: Imperial moth (Eacles imperialis), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Edward’s Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), White-m Hairstreak (Parrhasius malbum), Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), and Juvenalis Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis).
Previous Scientific Name(s): Quercus houstoniana, Quercus prinus

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Seed quickly loses viability if it is allowed to dry out. It is best sown as soon as it is ripe in an outdoor seed bed. Sow acorns at least 3 to 4 inches deep to protect them from deer, rodents and birds. 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. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly. Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. 1) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+michauxii 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=qumi# 3) https://rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=fagaceae-quercus-3017

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