Quercus buckleyi Nixon & Dorr

Quercus buckleyi is frequently confused with Q. texana Buckley and several other Texan red oaks. A key to the group in the wild state is therefore provided below.

Quercus buckleyi is a southern representative of the red oaks, allied to Q. shumardii, but slower growing and remaining a smaller tree, tolerant of drought and alkaline soils (Sternberg 2004). Melendrez (2000) has praised its autumnal colour, and noted the variation between deep to bright red and golden yellow in different localities in the wild. In summer the comparatively small leaves are a dull mid-green, with a red petiole. Quercus buckleyi would seem to be a useful red oak for warm, dry climates. It grows reasonably well in the United Kingdom, a specimen at the Hillier Gardens having reached over 10 m in height (date of planting unknown, but prior to 1976). A younger one (Sir Harold Hillier 563), accessioned as a seedling in 1986, is now c.6 m tall. Eike Jablonski (pers. comm. 2006) collected Q. buckleyi, Q. gravesii and Q. shumardii on the same visit to New Mexico in 2000; all have done well at Ettelbruck and Kruchten, but Q. gravesii has the best autumn colour and Q. shumardii has grown fastest.