The Gray Oak

Gray oak is a mid to large size tree capable of growing up to 50 foot tall at maturity. The leaves are elliptical with smooth edges, alternate arrangement, and appear to be a dull green color. Gray oak is very common in the Transpecans region and is typically found in canyons and draws. Gray oak is considered a n All classifications of livestock, exotics, elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep will browse on gray oak, especially the younger and more tender leaves. All wildlife relish the ripened acres each fall, especially feral hogs, quail, and turkey. The stout branches provide excellent nesting and roosting sites for many bird species, especially turkey. Leaves are blue-green in color, generally smooth edged or perhaps with paired notches. Each leaf is heavy and tough while the young leaves are more palatable and digestible. The bark is thin in gray color, but not as thick as most other oak species. Crude protein of new leaves averages 15% while mature leaves may range throughout the spring and s The acreons are highly desirable and digestible and provide a good fat, energy, and protein source for all wildlife species during the winter months. Gray oak grows slowly and produces a very hard wood and is drought and fire resistant. All wildlife species utilize it for shade and of course forage, so managers and hunters should keep a close eye on it for signs of excessive use. Livestock often times lay underneath it for prolonged periods and limit the underbrush, but where rocks prevent livestock access and some small underbrushes present, these become prime bedding and hiding areas for mature mule deer, elk, and trophy all dead sheep. Prescribed fire can rarely reach and harm the trees, but wildfires may cause it to resprout. Shed browsing pressure may limit or even kill it in these situations, so careful monitoring may be required to ensure regrowth success. There is no need for chemical or heavy equipment control efforts, but know that chemicals can negatively impact it if you are treating for other nearby plant species. Heavy equipment can injure and or kill a tree if you knock too much of the bark off when carelessly b Gray oak is a valuable plant on the landscape that offers all wildlife some form of protection, shelter, or food and should be protected as much as possible. In a typical working cattle ranch with moderately stocked native and exotic species, it is difficult these days to find many young trees, so conservative stocking is required to ensure new gray oak regrowth.