Gambel oak – Quercus gambelii

Pronunciation: kware’-kus gam-bell’-ee-eye

Leaf: Rounded, deep lobes (variable), no bristle tip. Lobes may begin about halfway up from the base of leaf. Sinuses are small and shallow. Leaf is glossy above, slightly hairy beneath.

Bud: 10+ scales overlap each other.

Leaf Scar: Raised, half round. 12 or more bundle scars.

Stem: Fairly slender, light brown-gray.

Pith: Solid, 5 - angled or star-shaped.

Flower: Catkins. Male: 1″ long. Female: tiny, in clusters in leaf axil.

Fruit: Acorn. Cap encloses about half the acorn. No fringe on acorn cap.

Habit: Dense thicket. Multi-stemmed. 15 - 30 feet tall.

Culture: Full sun. Low moisture requirement. Well-drained, low alkalinity preferred.

Quercus gambelii - Gambel oak Latin name / after Gambel