Tree
Texas Red Oak
Quercus buckleyi
The fall-color oak of the Texas Hill Country. Handles limestone and drought.
- Native
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 6–9
- Water
- Low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 30–50 ft tall × 30–40 ft wide
- Bloom & interest
- Deeply lobed leaves with brilliant scarlet to burgundy fall color
- Plant type
- Tree
- Native range
- Native to central Texas and southern Oklahoma (Edwards Plateau and Arbuckle Mountains)
Why we recommend it
A native oak with some of the best red fall color in the South, adapted to thin, alkaline limestone soils and drought.
Best regions: Texas
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Deep-water every 1–2 weeks the first two summers.
Pruning
Prune only in midwinter or midsummer and paint cuts, to reduce oak wilt spread.
Soil
Shallow, rocky, alkaline soils are fine; needs drainage.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Texas Red Oak from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Xeriscaping.com may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list plants we'd actually plant. Affiliate disclosure