Last updated on July 10th, 2025 at 06:41 am
Texas Red Oak Tree Information (Quercus buckleyi).A handsome, large tree for the southwest and other parts of the West.
I love this tree for its hardiness and overall appearance. Many do not realize that Red Oak trees will do well in the American Southwest. Most folks think the extreme heat during mid-summer will make this tree a bad choice. It is native to south-central Texas but can be grown in most southwestern cities.
Yes, they do like water but they can tolerate the hot desert sun. They can also be planted in shady conditions. It is smaller than the Eastern or Shumard Red Oaks as it will grow about 50ft. tall and 30 ft. wide. This makes them great trees for smaller yards or landscape areas.
It is deciduous meaning it will lose its leaves in winter but has a burst of orange, red, and bronze-colored leaves in fall from about mid-October until early winter.
The number of Oaktree species is over 500.
What about maintenance?
Like all oaks, they drop acorns in early spring, so you’ll have to pick those up when the weather starts to warm up. Leaves also come down in late fall, which means another round of yard cleanup. Every now and then, you’ll need to trim the branches so they don’t spread out too far or get in the way. Some people might not mind the mess, but it can get annoying if you want a tidy yard. The Texas red oak tree grows fast and looks beautiful with bright red leaves in the fall.
If you take care of it, it’ll stay healthy and won’t crowd your yard or block too much sunlight. A little trimming every year keeps it from spreading out too much and makes it easier for you to enjoy your space. Some people don’t trim their trees because they like a wild look, but that can make the tree too big and hard to control. Regular upkeep keeps things simple and lets you get the most out of your red oak.
The best time to prune Red Oak is during the fall season. Be sure not to prune over and also a good time to look for borers.
What about insects and diseases in Texas Red Oaks?
Texas Red oak is a hardwood, so bugs and borers have a tough time chewing into it. The wood is dense and strong, which helps keep pests out most of the time. Still, if the weather gets too wet or if the tree gets stressed, it can end up with oak wilt. This disease spreads fast and can hurt even healthy-looking trees. So, even though Red oak is a pretty tough tree, it needs some care to stay healthy.
The number one reason Oak Trees die is a fungal disease called a virus called (Bretziella fagacearum) that attacks Oak trees in regions with a lot of rainfall. Spraying with a tree fungicide will remove this fungus. Read more on the Oaktree wilt over at Wikipedia.
Another problem is extreme drought. Not enough during the hot-mid-summer seasons will weaken them. This in turn will make Red Oaks susceptible to diseases and Insects. Keep them well-watered even after they are established.
Texas Red Oak fall foliage.
The USDA zone for Red Oak trees is 3-8
The Texas Red Oak Tree will live about 50-100 years, sometimes longer, depending on placement and the care of the tree.
Information on the Live Oak tree here.
The Shumard Red Oak looks similar, but it grows much larger. See photos and information here.
Texas Red Oak Tree Information
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I live in Kingsville TX now. I used to live in Victoria TX and had several Texas Red Oaks and they did fine. I loved their colors and leaves. Will this tree do good in this area of Texas (Kingsville) ? I know they require a lot of water.
Hello, Javier. The USDA zone for Kingsville Tx. is 9a. And the Texas red oaks will do well there.
Here is more information. http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/quetexa.pdf