Quercus grisea Liebm.
Gray Oak, Scrub Oak, Shin Oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
USDA Symbol: QUGR3
Gray oaks are large shrubs or small trees reaching a maximum height of 30 ft. Deciduous, leathery, oval leaves are dull, blue-green, sometimes turning crimson in fall. Low clump-forming shrub or small tree, sometimes medium-sized, with grayish foliage.
Of greatest size in moist canyons, Gray Oak is most common as a shrub in New Mexico. It is easily seen in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. It is closely related to Arizona White Oak (Quercus arizonica), a larger tree with larger leaves and sunken veins. Common and scientific names describe the color of the foliage.
From the Image Gallery
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Size Notes: Height to 50 ft., width to 40 ft.
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
DistributionUSA: AZ , CO , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Trans-Pecos TX w. to AZ, south to Puebla in central Mexico
Native Habitat: Rocky, igneous or dolomitic slopes & canyons
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Igneous, Limestone-based, Acid-based, Sandy, Dry, igneous soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
BibliographyBibref 766 - Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide (2002) Groom, D.
Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
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Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Quercus grisea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Quercus grisea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus grisea
MetadataRecord Modified: 2017-08-10
Research By: TWC Staff