Oak, Live (Escarpment)

Quercus fusiformis (also often referred to as Q. virginiana var. fusiformis), commonly known as Texas live oak, escarpment live oak or plateau live oak, is an evergreen or nearly evergreen tree native to south-central North America. In the United States, it occurs from southern Oklahoma south through Texas, from about Corpus Christi in the east to the Pecos River in the west, and then south into Mexico

This live oak in the white oak section of the genus Quercus is distinguished from Coastal live oak most easily by the acorns, which are slightly larger and with a more pointed apex. It is also a smaller but much hardier tree, not exceeding 1m in trunk diameter (to 2.5m diameter in Coastal live oak), with more erect branching and a less wide crown. However, a short, tapering trunk supports picturesquely gnarled branches and limbs that over time will spread horizontally a great distance from the main trunk and create a thicket like appearance.

The dark olive green LEAVES are evergreen, firm textured, ovate to elliptic, 1 to 3 inches long; usually without lobes except on young plants and rootsprouts, then with pointed lobes. The leaves are generally slightly smaller than those of Q. virginiana, thick, glossy and small incomparison to other oaks.

ACORNS 0.75 to 1 inch long, rather elongate. Unlike Coastal live oak, acorns are spindle-shaped (fusiform), narrowed at the base.

Rust-colored male FLOWERS that hang from the terminal growth in the early spring along with female flowers that bloom singly or in clusters. FRUITS are one seeded black acorns .

The BARK is very dark colored, smooth and gray or off white when young, becoming heavily textured and very dark with age. Live oaks and blackjack oaks probably have the darkest bark of all the oaks.

Quercus fusiformis provides cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. Its acorns feed birds and mammals. It is also a host for the larv al stages of a couple well known butterfly species; Hairstreak, Horaces Duskywing.