Doris Happel
Family
Fagaceae
Botanical Name
Quercus laceyi
Plant Common Name
Lacey Oak
General Description
Grown for its handsome foliage and compact rounded habit, this deciduous tree or large shrub from south central Texas' Edwards Plateau and northern Mexico is also notable for its resistance to oak wilt disease.
The leathery, unlobed or shallowly lobed, oblong leaves flush rosy-pink in spring, mature to steely blue-gray in summer, and turn golden tones in fall. Dangling chains of greenish-yellow male flowers are borne along the branches in spring just as the leaves begin to emerge. Small, inconspicuous clusters of female flowers are produced at the branch tips, followed by small acorns which age to light chestnut-brown. Typically a small, round-headed tree with spreading and ascending branches and a gray scaly-barked trunk, Lacey oak may assume shrub form in poor soils.
This drought- and heat-tolerant oak prospers in full or partial sun and well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Its lovely leaves, compact size, and tough constitution make it a great choice for small properties in arid regions of the southern United States. In moister soil conditions the leaves tend to develop with slightly deeper lobes.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
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Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
12'-30' / 3.7m - 9.1m
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Width
12'-25' / 3.7m - 7.6m
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Texas, Mexico
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Green, Yellow Green
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Pink, Rose
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Blue Green, Gold
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
