# Escarpment live oak (Quercus fusiformis)

> The live oak that actually grows wild across the Edwards Plateau and most Austin neighborhoods. It looks almost identical to Southern live oak but has smaller leaves, stays shorter (20-40 feet) and is more drought- and cold-hardy. It often grows in clonal groves connected by roots, which is part of why oak wilt spreads so easily through it.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/quercus-fusiformis · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Plateau live oak, Texas live oak, Hill Country live oak
- Family: Fagaceae
- Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Mature height: 12 m; spread 15 m
- Growth: Medium growth
- USDA hardiness zones: 7 to 10
- Light: Sun or part shade
- Water: Low water
- Soil: Rocky, sandy, clay or loam soils, usually limestone-based; handles shallow caliche better than Southern live oak
- Native range: Central Texas between the Brazos and Pecos rivers, north into southern Oklahoma and south into northeastern Mexico

**Benefits:** Shade, Wildlife, Birds, Drought tolerant, Long lived, Storm resistant, Stores carbon well

**Good for:** Street tree, Yard shade, parks

**Watch out for:** Large roots, Heavy litter, Pest prone

## Care

Water deeply through the first two summers, then rarely. Prune only in the coldest and hottest months and paint wounds right away to reduce oak wilt risk; never leave fresh cuts open in spring. Protect the root zone from trenching and compaction during construction. Root suckers are normal and can be mowed.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** OK, United States; TX, United States
- **Recommended:** Austin, TX, United States (On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). The live oak entry advises: if planting in shallow soil, use Escarpment Live Oak, Q. fusiformis, which is more drought tolerant.); Dallas, TX, United States (On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List)

## Sources

- https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUFU
- https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUFU
- https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/oak-southern-live