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Bush Oak

Quercus (KWER-kus BUSH-ee-eye)

Family: Fagaceae Native Understory

Bush oak is a native deciduous hybrid in the Fagaceae (beech) family. This large tree is a cross between Q. marilandica and Q. coccina . Growing up to a mature height of 65 feet tall Plant in full sun to phartial shade in many soil types as long as they are moist. The dark green leaves turn attractive red or yellow tones in the fall. This plant can be propagated by seed or grafting. Insects, Diseses, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids are an occasional pest problem producing honeydew that can drip on hard surfaces below the tree. Galls appear but cause no issues other than cosmetic. Powdery mildew and honey fungus are common disease problems.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 41 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 2 - Understory Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Native Plant; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
Available space
24-60 feet; more than 60 feet
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Oboval rounded lobes dark green above lighter yellow and hairy below. Attractive red to yellow fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green; Insignificant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Inconspicuous
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit detail
Acorns oval cap extends halfway down nut
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stout, tomentose when young glabrous as the season progresses. 1 cm long buds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central and northeastern U.S.A.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Nut
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Native Garden
Design feature
Shade Tree
Garden tags
#native tree #NC native #deciduous tree #glossy leaves #shade tree #leathery leaves #fall color yellow #fall color red
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants; Galls on Oaks
Propagation
Grafting; Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.