Fauna
Plant

Texas Live Oak

Quercus fusiformis

Also known as Escarpment Live Oak, Plateau Live Oak, Plateau Oak

Texas live oaks form iconic, wide-spreading canopies across dry limestone hills and oak savannas. Their dark green, leathery leaves typically stay on the branches through winter, dropping briefly in early spring just before new growth emerges. The acorns feature a distinct spindle-like, tapered shape that provides vital autumn nourishment for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and scrub-jays.

Semi-EvergreenDrought-TolerantNative Tree
Texas Live Oak reference1 / 7
(c) Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋） · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • White-Tailed Deer
  • Wild Turkey
  • Acorn Weevil
ThreatsOak wilt fungus, land clearing, overgrazing of seedlings
HabitatsLimestone hills, rocky escarpments, oak savannas, grasslands
Life span100–500+ years
Classification
  1. OrderFagales
  2. FamilyFagaceae
  3. GenusQuercus
  4. SpeciesQuercus fusiformis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Acorns and foliage contain tannins that are toxic to dogs, horses, and livestock if ingested.
Why it is dangerous
Contains gallotannins that break down into toxic compounds, causing severe kidney damage and gastrointestinal distress in dogs, horses, and cattle.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Identified by dark gnarled bark, leathery oval leaves with smooth or spiny margins, and spindle-shaped pointed acorns.
What to do
Keep dogs and livestock away from fallen acorns and leaf litter, and clear heavy acorn accumulations from pastures.
Responsible observation
  • Avoid Spring Pruning: Do not trim branches between February and June to prevent spreading destructive oak wilt.
  • Provide Canopy Space: Give young trees wide planting clearances since canopies often grow broader than high.
  • Mulch Root Zones: Apply organic mulch around the dripline to conserve soil moisture and protect shallow roots.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

The Forest Floor

Texas Live Oak is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

—/12
Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…