Quercus gambelii

Common Names

Gambel Oak, Scrub Oak, Rocky Mountain White Oak, Gambrel Oak, Utah White Oak, Oak Brush, White Oak

Summary

Gambel Oak is a broadleaf deciduous shrub or small tree native to the western United States, commonly forming dense thickets on dry slopes and canyons. It typically reaches 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, often as a multi‑stem plant; leaves are 2–5 inches long, deeply lobed with a dark green upper surface and pale hairy undersides; fall color ranges from orange to red to yellow; acorns mature in Sept–Oct and are edible after tannin removal; flowers are green and inconspicuous.

Gambel Oak grows in zones 4a–9b, requires full sun and well‑drained soils; drought‑tolerant once established with very low irrigation; propagates by seeds (acorns) and extensive vegetative sprouting from lignotubers and rhizomes; forms dense groves that provide wildlife habitat and can aid erosion control; commonly used for screening, mass plantings, and wildland‑style landscapes; fire‑adapted and resprouts vigorously after top‑kill, with postfire regeneration often rapid; management may include thinning or pruning, and goats browse can help reduce stands.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

20-30 ft

Spread

15-20 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining loamy soil, slightly alkaline.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

6.5-6.5, Neutral to basic, Tolerates alkaline and calcareous soils

Bloom Color

Yellow-green

Bloom Time

Spring (April–June)

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, orange, and red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growth overall, with establishment slow and later rapid growth once roots are established; spreads via root sprouts.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds (acorns), root sprouts, lignotuber and rhizome sprouting, layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Butterflies, Other pollinators, Birds