Native Texas Oak Trees

Stately Strength  –  Lasting Legacy: The Enduring Appeal of Oaks

Oaks hold Texas woodlands together—keystone giants that give life to the land. Their generous canopies shade and shelter birds, mammals, and native butterflies, while acorns keep wildlife well-fed year after year. Deep roots make them champions of drought survival, and their elegance fits both wild and refined settings. Plant an oak today, and you’ll be anchoring beauty, habitat, and shade for generations to come.

Chinkapin Oaks stand out in Austin because they thrive in the city’s alkaline limestone soils, and form a graceful rounded crown with stunning chestnut-like serrated leaves. Their striking yellow to bronze fall color bring interest to landscapes and sweet acorns feed wildlife. This combination of soil adaptability, seasonal beauty, and ecological value makes it a uniquely reliable and attractive choice for Central Texas landscapes. No wonder it is designated a Texas Superstar ® plant!! Mature Size: 40-50ft H, 35-45ft W.

Other Central Texas Standout Species:

• Bur Oak: Massive; stately. Deeply lobed leaves; huge acorns—largest of any oak. Tolerates wide range of soils, including alkaline clay. Deciduous; yellow-brown fall color. Texas Superstar ®. Mature Size: 60-70ft H, 60-70ft W.
• Joan Lionetti Live Oak: Cultivar selected for upright, symmetrical growth—ideal for urban spaces. Evergreen. Mature Size: 40-45ft H, 40-55ft W.
• Lacey Oak: Smaller, well-mannered. Blue-green leaves; tidy, rounded form -excellent for smaller landscapes. Deciduous; attractive peachy rose fall color. Official Texas Superstar ®.                  Mature Size: 25-35ft H, 20-30ft W.
• Live Oak: Iconic spreading evergreen. Massive, horizontal limbs and dense shade. Extremely long-lived and wind-resistant. Mature Size: 40-50ft H, 70-100ft W.
• Monterey Oak: Semi-evergreen. Smooth-edged, dark green leaves. Fast-growing and heat-tolerant. Holds foliage in mild winters. Mature Size: 40-50ft H, 35-45ft W.
• Red Oak: Fast-growing with broad crown and brilliant red fall foliage. Deciduous. Tolerates heavier soils. Mature Size: 50-60ft H, 40-50ft W.
• Texas Red Oak: Smaller than Red, with vibrant red to orange fall foliage. Deciduous; well-suited to rocky limestone soils. Mature Size: 30-40ft H, 25-35ft W.

Care in Austin

Sunlight: 6–8+ hours daily
Water: Low once established; deep soak monthly in summer droughts.
Soil: Most prefer well-drained soils; many tolerate rocky, alkaline clay.
Pruning: Light structural pruning in winter to remove crossing branches; avoid heavy pruning during oak wilt season (February–June).

We invite you to visit Leaf Landscape Supply. Explore our wide selection of oak varieties, get expert planting advice, and find the perfect tree for your landscape and plant a gift for generations to come!