Contents [hide]
Description
Quercus Texana, commonly known as Nuttall oak or Texas red oak, is a deciduous tree species native to the southern United States. It belongs to the Fagaceae family and is highly valued for its high-quality lumber, ornamental value, and wildlife habitat. Quercus Texana can reach a height of 50 to 80 feet and a spread of 40 to 60 feet at maturity. Its bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed, while its leaves are simple, alternate, and 4 to 8 inches long. The leaves are shiny green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface, turning red or yellow in the fall. Quercus Texana produces acorns that are 1 inch long and have a shallow cup.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain| Eukarya||————-|————-|| Kingdom| Plantae|| Phylum| Tracheophyta|| Class| Magnoliopsida|| Order| Fagales|| Family| Fagaceae|| Genus| Quercus|| Species| Quercus Texana |
Appearance
Quercus Texana has a large, spreading canopy that provides ample shade. Its leaves are simple, alternate, and 4 to 8 inches long. The leaves are shiny green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface, turning red or yellow in the fall. Quercus Texana produces acorns that are 1 inch long and have a shallow cup. The bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed, providing a beautiful contrast to the green leaves.
Care Guide
Quercus Texana requires regular care to thrive:- Water: Quercus Texana prefers well-drained soil and moderate watering.- Fertilization: Fertilize Quercus Texana once a year with a balanced fertilizer.- Soil: Quercus Texana grows best in acidic, well-drained soil.- Sunlight: Quercus Texana prefers full sun exposure.- Hardiness Zones: Quercus Texana is hardy in USDA zones 6-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Quercus Texana is susceptible to several pests and diseases, including:- Oak wilt: A fungal disease that causes wilting and death of the tree.- Galls: Abnormal growths on the leaves, stems, or roots of the tree caused by insects or mites.- Oak leaf blister: A fungal disease that causes raised blisters on the leaves.- Oak twig pruner: A type of beetle that burrows into the twigs, causing them to break off.
Habitat
Quercus Texana is native to the southern United States and can be found in a variety of habitats, including upland woods, bottomlands, and floodplains. It prefers well-drained, acidic soil and full sun exposure. Quercus Texana provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including squirrels, deer, and turkeys.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Quercus Texana grow in sandy soil?
A: No, Quercus Texana prefers well-drained, acidic soil.Q: How often should I water Quercus Texana?
A: Quercus Texana prefers moderate watering, so water it when the soil feels dry to the touch.Q: Are Quercus Texana leaves evergreen?
A: No, Quercus Texana is a deciduous tree species, meaning its leaves fall off in the fall.Q: How long does it take for Quercus Texana to produce acorns?
A: Quercus Texana produces acorns when it is 25 to 30 years old.
Related Plants
Other species of the Quercus genus include:- Quercus alba (White oak)- Quercus rubra (Northern red oak)- Quercus palustris (Pin oak)- Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinquapin oak)
References
– Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (n.d.). Quercus texana. Retrieved from https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUTE- Texas A&M Forest Service. (n.d.). Texas oak species. Retrieved from https://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/uploadedFiles/TFSMain/Manage_Forest_and_Trees/Texas_Oak_Species.pdf- US Forest Service. (n.d.). Quercus texana Buckley. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/quebuc/all.html
