Scientific Name
Quercus fusiformis
The escarpment live oak, sometimes called plateau live oak or Texas live oak, is a nearly evergreen tree in our climate. It is related to the more famous southern live oak (Quercus virginiana), the massive, wide-spreading tree often seen in photos of antebellum southern plantations and Audubon Park in New Orleans. Both belong to a small group of oaks distinct from the white and red oaks. Escarpment live oak is native to Texas, Oklahoma and several northern Mexican states. Its presence in Oklahoma’s Quartz Mountains helps explain why it can grow in Denver, though it is not hardy in much colder climates. One of its main appeals is its ability to thrive in the hot, dry summers that are increasingly common here.
The leaves are thick, shiny, and leathery, ranging from 2 to 4 inches long and ½ to 2 inches wide. Some are smooth and elliptical, while others may be toothed near the tips. The prickly edges can make people think it is a type of holly. The escarpment oak on the berm east of the Regis Residence Village shows a mix of toothed leaves, while a specimen in the university nursery has mostly smooth leaves. Leaves are usually replaced in mid- to late spring, though unusually cold winters can cause them to drop as early as February, with regrowth delayed until May. The acorns are about an inch long and sit on long stems. Use of this tree in Denver is still experimental, and we hope they will reach 20 to 30 feet in height, smaller than the trees in their native range.