SCIENTIFIC NAME: Quercus texana

COMMON NAME: Nuttall Oak, Texas Red Oak

GARDEN SIZE: 50–80 ft. tall x 40–65 ft. wide

GROWTH RATE: up to 2-3 ft. per year under ideal conditions

USDA ZONE: 6–9

EXPOSURE: Full sun

WATER & SOIL: Medium moisture; grows best in rich, moist, acidic loams, but adapts to a variety of soil conditions, including heavy clay soils

HABIT (FORM): Large, deciduous tree with a wide-spreading, rounded crown

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; dark green leaves (4–8" long), deeply divided into 6–11 spiny, pointed lobes; quality red fall color appears late in the season

FLOWERS: Insignificant; yellowish-green catkins (separate male and female flowers)

BLOOM TIME: April

PLANT ORIGIN: South-Central United States, including bottomland soils and floodplain forests in the Mississippi River Valley

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: Provides acorns for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and deer; valuable for habitat and cover. Oaks are one of the most important, if not the most important, host plants for local insects.

FERTILIZING: Fertilizer not recommended. If desired, you may top dress with no more than 1 inch of organic compost per season.

PRUNING: Prune in late winter to maintain structure and remove dead or damaged branches

USES: Shade tree, suitable for rain gardens and low areas with wet soils