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Flaigg, Norman G.
Quercus fusiformis Small
Escarpment live oak, Plateau live oak, Texas live oak, Scrub live oak, Hill country live oak, Plateau oak
Synonyms: Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis
USDA Symbol: qufu
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Plateau oak or Escarpment live oak is a thicket-forming shrub or large, spreading tree that is nearly identical in appearance to, and considered much hardier than, Q. virginiana. A short, tapering trunk supports picturesquely gnarled branches and limbs that over time will spread horizontally a great distance from the main trunk. It can reach a height of 20-40 ft. Leaves are evergreen, firm textured, ovate to elliptic, 1 to 3 inches long; usually without lobes except on young plants and rootsprouts, then with pointed lobes. The leaves are generally slightly smaller than those of Q. virginiana. Acorns 3/4 to 1 inch long, rather elongate. Unlike Coastal live oak, acorns are spindle-shaped (fusiform), narrowed at the base.
Ranging from the Glass Mountains and Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma south through the center of Texas to the mountains of Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo Leon in Mexico, Quercus fusiformis is the common live oak used in landscaping and found in the wild in central Texas. It is more drought-tolerant and cold-hardy than Q. virginiana, which it is sometimes considered a variety of. Like Q. virginiana, its magnificent, stately form has endeared it to generations of residents and it remains popular to this day. Also like Q. virginiana, it is susceptible to live oak wilt and live oak decline when stressed by drought, so care must be taken to protect it from injury both aboveground and below ground to prevent infection. The largest known Texas live oak grows in Real
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf Shape: Elliptic
, Ovate Leaf Venation: Pinnate Leaf Margin: Entire Leaf Apex: Acute
, Obtuse Leaf Base: Cordate
, Rounded , Truncate Leaf Texture:
Leathery Breeding System:
, Monoecious Inflorescence: Catkin Fruit Type: Nut Size Notes:
20-40 ft tall Leaf:
Upper surface a glossy light to dark green, grayish- green beneath with dense pubescent
bloom that rubs off. Flower:
Flowers 2-3 inches long
Acorns annual; peduncle
1⁄8 - 11⁄8 inches (3 - 29 mm)
supporting 1 - 5 nuts, cup
has narrow base, light gray
scales with reddish-tips may
be smooth or pubescent
encloses 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 of nut; dark
brown, narrow and oblong
nut with light brown stripes,
5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) long. Size Class:
12-36 ft. , 36-72 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
OK , TX Native Distribution:
Limited to southern Oklahoma, Texas between the Brazos and Pecos rivers, and the mountains of northeastern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas). Native Habitat:
Savannahs, rocky hills, & uplands with limestone or calcareous loam soils.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky, sandy, clay, or loam soils, usually calcareous, including caliche, but also in slightly acidic sands
Conditions Comments: Those from southern Oklahoma are the most cold-hardy, surviving temperatures as low as -20 degrees F.
Attractive Use Wildlife:
It provides cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. Its acorns feed birds and mammals. Conspicuous Flowers:
Birds , Butterflies Larval Host:
Hairstreak, Horaces Duskywing
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
PropagationPropagation Material: Seeds
Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately – outdoors or in deep containers to accommodate long initial taproot. Protect outdoor beds with wire mesh to deter rodent predation.
Seed Collection: 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.
Seed Treatment: 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. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Susceptible to oak wilt, so check regularly for injury to trunk and branches and treat injured areas immediately to prevent infection.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
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April 08, 2007
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June 15, 2006
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Invasive, non-native Paulownia
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Austin, TXSibley Nature Center
- Midland, TXBrackenridge Field Laboratory
- Austin, TXPatsy Glenn Refuge
- Wimberley, TXNative Plant Society of Texas
- Fredericksburg, TXNueces River Authority
- Uvalde, TXTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Austin, TXNPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter
- Fredericksburg, TXNPSOT - Austin Chapter
- Austin, TXNational Butterfly Center
- Mission, TXJacob's Well Natural Area
- Wimberley, TX
Bibref 766 - Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide
(2002) Groom, D.
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America
(2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1134 - Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America
(2003) Stein, John D. and Denise Binion
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides)
(1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes
(2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 481 - How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest: Revised and Updated Edition
(2001) Nokes, J.
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest
(1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country
(1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region
(2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
(1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife
(1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas
(1984) Vines, Robert A.
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Recommended Species Lists
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Record Modified: 2011-09-25
Research By: TWC Staff, GDG