Oak, Graceful

Common names for the GRACEFUL OAK include Evergreen Oak, Slender Oak, Chisos Oak, among others. The most common for Quercus canbyi var graciliformis being the Canby oak or Sierra oak.

Quercus canbyi is a semi-evergreen – evergreen tree, up to 40–50 feet (12–15 meters) tall in cultivation. Although, it can reach up to 80 feet (24 meters) in the wild in Mexico. It starts as a pyramidal form and then matures into an open irregular shape. It can reach a spread of 30–40 feet (9.1–12.2 meters) wide.

The dark, glossy green leaves are 6–8 inches (15–20 centimeters) long and have serrated edges. The petioles can have a reddish hue. It blooms in March and the acorns are then seen in August.

LEAF: 6-8 inch long and 2-3-inch-wide glossy leaves resembling holly are lanceolate to elliptic with pointed, bristle-tipped apex. The base is acute, obtuse, or rounded. Margins have teeth that are bristle-tipped. Dark green on the upper sides and yellow-green underneath. Fall color may have red tones.

This species has been found only in Texas and in northeast Mexico. Quercus canbyi will tolerate most kinds of soils and is used in gardens to provide shade.

The glossy green leaves and slender elegant branches make it a nice shade tree. Once established it is drought tolerant.

Trees of this species differ in acorn production. Q. graciliformis also has slender acorns and is biennial. Q. canbyi produce acute acorns in one year.

TWIGS are red-brown, shiny, and thin becoming glabrous, with rare, inconspicuous lenticels. Terminal buds are red-brown, ovoid to conical.

ACORNS are brown and yellowish 1/2″ singly or in pairs with the cup covering 1/2 of nut, with nearly flat scales. Matures in 1 year from August to October.