# Texas live oak (*Quercus fusiformis*) The Texas live oak is a strong tree with thick, dark green leaves. It provides shade and homes for many animals. These trees can live for hundreds of years and are a beautiful part of Texas landscapes. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Texas live oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Texas_Live_Oak_Quercus_fusiformis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rei at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_Live_Oak_Quercus_fusiformis.jpg) ## Appearance The Texas live oak is an evergreen tree with a broad, spreading canopy and often gnarled branches. It has small, dark green, leathery leaves that stay on all year. Its bark is rough, dark gray, and deeply furrowed, making it distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - A mature Texas live oak releases tons of water vapor daily, cooling the air! - Its acorns are a superfood for over 100 different wildlife species, from tiny insects to large deer! - Its wood is incredibly dense and strong, historically used for ship parts and durable furniture! - Some Texas live oaks have stood for over 500 years, making them ancient living monuments! ## Special abilities - **Drought Defender:** Texas live oak can survive long dry periods thanks to deep roots and leathery leaves that conserve water. - **Evergreen Energy:** Texas live oak has leaves all year, allowing it to photosynthesize and grow even in mild winters. - **Storm Shielder:** Texas live oak can withstand strong winds and storms due to its flexible branches and robust root system. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 600-1500 cm - **Spread:** 1000-2500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Early spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Eastern gray squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — consumes acorns for food - **Eats:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — browses on leaves and eats acorns - **Eats:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — caches and disperses Texas live oak acorns - **Eats:** Acorn Weevil (*Curculio rectus*) — larvae develop inside Texas live oak acorns ## Traits - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay clear of falling branches and don't climb too high. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Texas live oak? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Texas live oak? 600-1500 cm ### How wide does Texas live oak spread? 1000-2500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Texas live oak? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Texas live oak bloom? Early spring ### Is Texas live oak edible? No ### Is Texas live oak toxic? Mild ### What is Texas live oak's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Quartz Mountain Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quartz-mountain-nature-park) — Oklahoma, US · Park - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Natural Bridge Caverns](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-caverns) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark - [Pace Bend Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pace-bend-park) — Texas, US · Park - [Pagoeta Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pagoeta-natural-park) — País Vasco, ES · Park [View all places to see Texas live oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/texas-live-oak) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Texas live oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/texas-live-oak)