Oak, Vasey

Vasey Oak (Quercus pungens vaseyana) is a far West Texas native. Slow to moderate growth, 20-40 ft tall and a crown spread of 20-30 ft. Very heat and drought tolerant. Sometimes the root sprouts to form a clump. The Vasey Oak has deep roots to survive the desert-like climate. They are long-lived and survive on low to average rainfall. In Texas it’s found in the far west at elevations 0f 1000-2000 ft above sea level. Small, compact native tree with small leaves that are gently lobed and wavy edged, short but sharp tips on the edges. It is almost evergreen and has the smallest leaves of all the shin oaks. Looks like a small live oak but has a lighter colored almost silvery bark.

LEAVES are half evergreen, alternate, small usually ¾ of an inch to 2 ½ inches, ½ to ¾ inch wide. Upper surface grayish-green to dark green and shiny, lower surface generally paler and hairy, smallest leaves of all the shin oaks. They are oblong, pointed at both ends, wavy, lobed, lobes margins toothed.

FLOWERS are monoecious – separate but on the same trees. Male flowers are longer than the female flowers as with all the oaks.

FRUIT is annually produced acorns that will be solitary or in pairs. The acorn is 2-2.5 cm long, 1.5 cm in diameter, shiny, pale brown, stalkless, enclosed 1/4 or 1/5 by strongly warty cup, maturing in 1 year.

The BARK is peeling, light-gray to silvery and scaly.

The TWIGS are slender becoming gray, smooth; very small buds 1-1.5 mm long, rounded.

WILDLIFE: Due to the desert-like environment where food can be scarce, the acorn is an important staple food for most any mammal or bird that can break through the shell.