PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 11

Quercus gambelii - Gambel Oak

Plant Viewer
The leaves of Gambel Oak are obovate in shape have have 5-9 irregular lobes. In the spring, small yellow-green catkins form on the tree. Image: Stan Shebs
The acorns become elongated and are covered half of the way down by the involucre. Young bark has a dark reddish tinge, while mature bark is gray-brown in color and deeply furrowed.

Plant Description

Quercus gambelii, or Gambel Oak, is a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, growing 10-25 feet tall and somewhat narrower in width. It has an irregular form with a dense branching and irregular habit. It is tolerant of dry soils and hot sunny locations. The stem is gray-brown and color with deep ridges and furrows.

The leaf is 3-6 inches long, obovate in shape and has 5-9 deep and irregular lobes. The leaves are arranged alternately or sub-oppositely on the stem and have a thick leathery feel. It is a dark glossy green color on the top, and often pale and pubescent below. The leaves turn a bright yellow, orange or red in the fall.

Large amounts of small catkins form on new growth in the spring. The catkins can make the edges of the tree appear to be covered with a moss. Elongated green acorns form over the summer before turning a pale brown color in fall and dropping from the tree. One half to two-thirds of the acorn is covered by the involucre.

Landscape Use

Use in drought-tolerant areas and in naturalized landscapes. It provides an impressive fall color display that looks especially good in masses.