Overview & Description

Rocky Mountain White Oak (Quercus gambelii) is a hardy, native deciduous tree prized for its adaptability to high elevations and challenging conditions. Its glossy green, lobed foliage turns brilliant golden-yellow to orange-red in autumn, creating a stunning fall display. In spring, catkins appear, followed by small green acorns that mature to golden-brown. This drought-tolerant species is well-suited to foothill and mountain landscapes, tolerating alkaline soils and elevations up to 9000 feet.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits an upright, rounded, spreading growth habit. It is a slow to moderate-growing tree, typically reaching a mature size of about 16 – 26 feet in height with a spread of 16 feet.

Additional Notes

It blooms in spring with inconspicuous catkins, with acorns maturing in fall. Hardy to Zone 3, it is drought tolerant once established and tolerates alkaline soils and high elevations. An outstanding choice for naturalized landscapes, foothill gardens, wildlife habitat, erosion control, and native plantings where golden fall colour, acorn production, and rugged adaptability are desired.