Sternberg's Oak
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Medium-sized tree, 40-60' tall and wide. Pyramidal habit. Moderate growth rate. Medium-long expected longevity, to approximately 175 years.

Native Range

U.S. Native — United States native found in Texas.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers of spring are wind pollinated. Male in greenish-yellow catkins. Small, brown acorns ripen in the fall.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: The multi-lobed, rather small leaves resemble Shumard oak and Texas Red Oak. Excellent, bright red-scarlet to purplish-red fall color.

Culture and Care

Shows good cold hardiness. Zone 5-8(9). Heat and drought tolerant. Tolerates poor soils. Minor pest and disease problems. Occasional galls, mites, caterpillars, leaf spots or borers are possible.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer and fall. This is a nothospecies, a stabilized hybrid of Quercus shumardii and Quercus buckleyi found growing in Texas. Named for author, Guy Sternberg, by Professor Reinhold Luebbert of Germany in his World Compendium of Oaks.

Suggested Uses

Makes a good landscape tree or shade tree for parks. Works well in tough, dry sites.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA