Oak, Lacey

The Lacey Oak is one of the toughest oaks, endemic to the dry Texas limestone hills thriving in places where no other oak does. It is a smaller oak than most, with a round top and shrub like appearance. Dark, blue green leaves are its distinguishing features with very small acorns.

The stout trunk (up to 18″ in diameter) supports a 30 to 50 foot tree with a 30 foot spread or it could be a small shrub (or anywhere in between).

LEAVES expand as a soft pink color, turning a blue-green as they mature giving the plant an intriguing smoky air. Fall color varies from brown to yellow. The leaves are 2 to 5 inches long, 3/4 to 2 inches wide, and have wavy to slightly lobed margins.

Lacey Oak blooms in the spring and has acorns in the fall.

The FRUIT (acorns) are usually found in clusters of 1 to 3, each having a cap covering one fourth to one half of its length and measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch in width. Relished by turkeys and feral hogs this acorn seldom gets a chance to grow into a tree.

Lacey Oak leaves are eaten by white-tailed deer and livestock and the acorns are eaten by white-tailed deer, small mammals, and some birds.