Oak trees are diverse and numerous. There are more than 500 different species of oak worldwide, and they come from a huge variety of habitats. What this means for the home gardener is that an oak tree will grow in your yard, provided you have enough space. Most oak trees are large and long-lived, making them a wonderful investment for your property.
How do you choose the right oak tree for your yard? A great place to start is to consider your climate, sun exposure, and soil moisture. Look at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map and identify your zone.
Although some oaks stay quite small, many will ultimately grow to 80 feet tall or even taller. Oak trees in moderate and temperate climates are deciduous, but if you live in a warm climate, you will find evergreen oak species to help keep your landscape green throughout the year.
Are you hoping to enhance your wildlife-friendly yard? Trees are a great choice, and oaks provide excellent habitat and food sources for many wildlife species. Are you hoping to find a great shade tree? Grow an oak. Do you want to create a woodland garden or shade garden? There’s an oak tree that will fit right in. Regardless of your choice, oak trees are an ecologically important keystone species that enrich every landscape.
Let’s take a closer look at 25 oak trees native throughout North America that you can grow in a home landscape.
Oaks Native to the Southeastern United States
There is a great deal of overlap in the ranges of oak trees. Most species of oaks inhabit multiple ecological zones, making classifying a tree into one area difficult. The oaks listed in this section are native to the broader region centered around the southeastern United States. I’ve arranged this list from warmest to coolest hardiness zones.
Live Oak
Known for their expansive size and longevity, live oaks thrive in the southeastern US.
 | botanical name Quercus virginiana |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun |
 | height 40 – 80 feet |
 | hardiness zones 8 – 10 |
Live oak is a classic tree of the deep southeastern United States. It is native to the warmer parts of this area and continues south into Mexico. In the more northern reaches of its range, it is found only in the warmest coastal areas.
These trees tolerate varied soil types but do particularly well in medium to moist soil. Live oaks are broadleaf evergreens and make stunning shade trees and specimen trees. They are often draped with Spanish moss as the two grow in the same warm and humid places.
Live oaks grow up to 80 feet tall and 100 feet wide. They are very long-lived and develop several large, thick, low branches that grow horizontally away from the trunk, sometimes sprawling outwards at dramatic angles or low to the ground. Live oak leaves are oval to slightly irregularly oval-shaped. They are shiny dark green with smooth edges and a leathery texture.
Water Oak
This oak thrives in moist southeastern areas and features adaptable, lobed leaves.
| | botanical name Quercus nigra |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 50 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6 – 9 |
Water oak, also called possum oak or black oak, is typically a medium-sized tree but can grow taller in ideal conditions. It prefers flood plains, moist forests, and rich, moist soils along streams and rivers. As its name implies, the water oak prefers medium to high-moisture soils, and it is an ideal tree for a low spot or rain garden area that retains some moisture throughout the year. It can also adapt to dryer conditions.
Water oak is native to the southeastern United States, from Texas, east to Florida and north to Maryland. It has a somewhat rounded conical crown and makes an attractive landscape tree.
The leaves are highly variable. They typically have between three and five broad, somewhat irregular lobes, which may be either pointed or rounded. The leaves turn pale yellow to brown in the fall, and some may persist on the tree throughout the winter.
Oaks Native to the Eastern and Southeastern United States
The oaks in this list are native to the eastern and southeastern United States, generally bounded by Texas on the west and as far north as New York. They generally prefer slightly warmer climates but are more widely distributed than just the Southeast. The trees in this list are arranged by cold tolerance, starting with the least cold hardy.
Southern Red Oak
Distinct from its northern counterpart, the southern red oak thrives in warm southeastern landscapes.
| | botanical name Quercus falcata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 60 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6 – 9 |
Although they look similar, the southern red oak is a different species than the northern red oak. As the name implies, the southern red oak is more commonly found in the warmer climate of the southeastern United States.
Southern red oaks inhabit upland forests and bottomland forests, sometimes growing along waterways. They prefer well-drained, dry to medium-moisture soil. They also tolerate poor soil and occasional drought.
The southern red oak makes an attractive landscaping tree. It has a straight trunk with a rounded crown. Highly variable leaves have several lobes with pointed tips. Some lobes are deeply cut, while others are more wavy-edged. The fall foliage is not particularly showy as the leaves turn from green to reddish brown.
Shumard Oak
Native to the eastern U.S., the Shumard oak is a fast-growing, adaptable tree with vibrant fall foliage.
| | botanical name Quercus shumardii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 40 – 60 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The Shumard oak is native to the warmer climates of the eastern and southeastern United States and even parts of southern Canada. It grows in hardwood forests and mixed hardwood forests and in both uplands and bottomland forests.
It tolerates partial shade but prefers full sun. The Shumard oak is a fast-growing tree that is adaptable to different soil types, although it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Shumard oak is a good landscaping tree and develops a large pyramidal crown. The leaves have several deeply cut lobes with many pointed tips. In the fall, the foliage turns an attractive reddish orange.
Overcup Oak
In moist bottomland, you’ll find the native overcup oak showcasing its distinctive acorns.
| | botanical name Quercus lyrata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 40 – 60 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The overcup oak is native to the southeastern United States and is found from Texas east to Florida and north to Maryland. This is a bottomland tree that likes moist soils. It grows in rich, moist forests, floodplains, and along wetland borders. This oak does best in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
The overcup oak has a rounded crown with a tall, straight trunk. It makes a good shade tree or an excellent specimen grown at the edge of a lake or pond. Leaves are broader at the top than at the base.
Its fall foliage is mostly yellow and brown but sometimes ranges into oranges and reds. The acorn cap covers all but the bottom third of the acorn, giving rise to the common name, overcup oak.
Willow Oak
Cultivate hardy willow oaks, native to the southeastern U.S., for urban resilience and adaptability.
| | botanical name Quercus phellos |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 40 – 75 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The willow oak is a common tree in the southeastern United States, where it is native from Texas to Florida and north to New York. These trees are hardy, easy to grow, and tolerant of many soil conditions. They prefer medium to moist soils and perform well in urban areas.
The willow oak is a deciduous tree with a tall, thick, straight trunk. Oval-shaped leaves come to a sharp tip but are smooth-edged with no lobes. These trees are not particularly showy in the fall as the leaves change quickly from green to yellow-brown.
Swamp Chestnut Oak
Subsisting in moist soils, the swamp chestnut oak displays stunning autumn hues.
| | botanical name Quercus michauxii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 60 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The swamp chestnut oak is native to the southeastern United States, particularly along the coastal plain, from Texas east to Florida and north into coastal Maine. It is naturally found in areas with moist soil, including swampy areas, low woodlands, and floodplains. It adapts well to a variety of soil conditions but prefers consistently moist soil.
This is a deciduous tree with a somewhat irregular but rounded crown. The leaves have small, rounded, wavy lobes. The foliage changes to yellow-orange, red, and yellow-brown in the fall.
Oaks Native to the Central and Eastern United States
There are a great number of oaks that are native to the central and eastern United States. These trees are adapted to slightly differing conditions and may prefer a more northerly or more southerly region, but they all encompass both central and eastern states. The oaks in this list are arranged according to cold tolerance, beginning with the warmer preferences.
Post Oak
Discover the distinctive, gnarled post oak with leathery leaves in the central and eastern U.S.
| | botanical name Quercus stellata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 40 – 50 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The post oak is native to the central and eastern United States, from Kansas and Texas to the east coast. It primarily inhabits savannahs and open, sunny, hardwood forests. It prefers average-quality soil with good drainage.
The post oak makes a good accent tree or shade tree. It has an irregularly shaped rounded crown with branches that may twist in different directions, giving the overall structure a rather gnarled look.
Leathery and dark green leaves have undersides that are pale green and fuzzy. They have wavy, rounded lobes. The uppermost lobes are fairly small, followed by a deeply cut section of wide, somewhat square-like central lobes, and then narrower lower lobes for a distinctive, cross-shaped leaf.
Post oak doesn’t display bright fall colors. The leaves typically turn from yellow to brown, and some leaves may linger on the tree well into the winter.
Chinquapin Oak
This medium-sized tree thrives in dry, rocky hillsides, with broad leaves turning yellow in fall.
| | botanical name Quercus muehlenbergii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 40 – 60 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 7 |
The chinquapin oak is native to the central and eastern United States and Canada. It is found within the region from Minnesota to New Mexico on the western edge of its range to Massachusettes and Florida at the eastern edge. It prefers hillsides with dry, rocky, well-drained soils, as well as mixed hardwood forests.
As a landscaping tree, it thrives in average to rich soil with full sun. Unlike many oaks that prefer acidic soils, the Chinkapin oak prefers alkaline soil with a pH of 7.0 or higher.
The chinquapin oak is a medium-sized tree. It has broad, oblong leaves with regularly spaced, slightly pointed, wavy edges. In the fall, the foliage changes to yellow and brown.
Scarlet Oak
In autumn, its foliage transforms into a breathtaking array of red hues.
| | botanical name Quercus coccinea |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 50 – 70 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The scarlet oak grows in the eastern United States and Southern Canada, from Wisconsin south to Louisiana and east to the coast. It inhabits dry upland forests and prefers dry to medium moisture and soils that easily drain. In its natural habitat, it often grows in sandy soils.
The scarlet oak is a deciduous tree with an attractive, rounded crown. The leaves are glossy dark green. Each leaf is deeply lobed, coming to sharp points at their tips. The fall foliage is very showy with shades of scarlet red. This is a long-lived, hardy, readily available landscaping tree.
Northern Red Oak
This species dons leaves with shallow lobes and sharp tips, appearing dull dark green on both surfaces.
| | botanical name Quercus rubra |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 50 – 70 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
The northern red oak, also known as the American red oak, is a widespread tree throughout much of the central and Eastern United States. It can be found from Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma at the western edge of its range, east to Georgia, and north to Maine and Canada.
The northern red oak has a thick, straight trunk and a nicely rounded crown. The leaves have several somewhat shallow lobes that end in sharp tips.
Northern red oak leaves are a dull dark green above and below. In the fall, this species has showy red-orange to reddish-brown foliage. Some leaves may remain on the tree throughout the winter months.
Chestnut Oak
This species showcases a tall, straight trunk and a rounded crown.
| | botanical name Quercus montana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 50 – 70 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Chestnut oak appears in eastern North America from Illinois south to Louisiana and east to the east coast. It tolerates a variety of soil conditions but performs best in well-drained, loamy soil. It is drought tolerant once established.
Chestnut oak makes a good landscaping and shade tree. It has a tall, straight trunk and rounded crown. The leaves are oblong with a pointed tip and a series of shallow, rounded lobes along the edge, somewhat resembling the leaves of a chestnut tree. In the fall, the foliage turns from green to yellow to reddish-brown.
Swamp White Oak
This adaptable tree remains an excellent selection whether in swampy lowlands or drier sites.
| | botanical name Quercus bicolor |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 50 – 60 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
The swamp white oak is a native species of the eastern United States and Canada, from Minnesota and Missouri to the east coast as far north as Canada and as far south as South Carolina. It prefers a moist habitat, such as swampy lowlands and floodplains, or the borders of streams, lakes, and wetlands. Although swamp white oak prefers moist to wet soil, it will adapt to drier sites, but if you have a wet site, this tree would be a great choice.
Swamp white oak is a long-lived tree with a somewhat pyramidal crown shape. The leaves are shiny and dark green on top with soft fuzzy hairs on the underside, giving it a soft, silvery appearance and the species name ‘bicolor.’
The leaves are broader at the top end than at the stem, with shallow, rounded lobes with a small tooth at each outer curve. The fall foliage is yellow and occasionally reddish purple.
Pin Oak
Choose pin oak for landscaping in wet soils and its vibrant fall foliage.
| | botanical name Quercus palustris |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 50 – 70 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Pin oak grows in the central United States from Nebraska to Oklahoma to the East Coast, including Canada. Its natural habitat includes marshes, swamps, and wetland edges. This tree is well adapted to soils that experience occasional flooding, but it can also tolerate average-quality, moist soils.
Pin oak is a hardy, fast-growing species often used in landscaping. It has a thick, sturdy trunk with a broadly rounded crown, making it an excellent shade tree.
The leaves are deeply lobed with sharp points at their outer edges. Pin oaks have multicolored fall foliage, changing from green to yellow-orange and finally to bright scarlet red.
White Oak
Offering widespread adaptability, the white oak transitions from pyramidal to rounded.
| | botanical name Quercus alba |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 50 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
White oak is a very common tree across the eastern United States. It is widespread from the central plains states and eastward to the coast. White oaks are common in multiple forest types, particularly in upland forests and mixed hardwood forests.
These trees prefer moist, well-draining soil but are widely adaptable to other soil types. They do not like overly wet soil conditions and are fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Young white oak trees have a more pyramidal form, while mature trees develop a more rounded crown. The leaves are deeply lobed with smooth, rounded edges. In the fall, the foliage displays a reddish-brown coloration. White oak is commonly available as a landscaping tree, and for good reason: this is an excellent shade tree and wildlife tree.
Bur Oak
The sturdy trunks of bur oaks support crowns that open generously, casting comforting shade.
| | botanical name Quercus macrocarpa |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 60 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Here’s an oak tree that is well-adapted to cooler climates. The bur oak’s range includes the north-central United States and Canada. The bur oak is a fairly common tree that prefers rich, bottomland forests and moist hardwood forests. Although it prefers rich, moist soil, it is tolerant of other conditions.
The bur oak makes a great shade tree. It has an open crown with a thick, sturdy trunk. The leaves are tough and dark green. Fall foliage is less varied as the leaves turn from green to muted yellow to brown.
The top half of the leaf is broad with irregularly wavy edges. At the middle of the leaf is a very deep lobe that goes nearly to the stem, and below this is another elongated lobe that tapers to the end of the stem. The huge acorns have a unique appearance with a rim of mossy texture along the lower edge of the acorn cap.
Oaks Native to the South-Central and Southwestern United States
Most of the North American native oaks occur in the central and eastern United States, but some other unique species thrive in the western half of the country. If you live in the Southwest, here are a few oaks you can try in your landscape.
Mexican Blue Oak
This oak adjusts seamlessly to varied landscapes—mountains, foothills, open woodlands, and dry canyons.
| | botanical name Quercus oblongifolia |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 20 – 50 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 10 |
The Mexican blue oak grows in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. Its natural habitat includes mountains, foothills, open woodlands, and dry canyons. It prefers sandy or rocky, well-drained soil with a pH that is neutral to slightly acidic.
This is a small, shrubby-looking tree, but it can make an attractive landscaping tree in the right environment. Larger trees in ideal conditions can develop a broad crown, making them great shade providers for a dry site.
These trees are evergreen. The leaves are small, simple ovals with smooth edges. They are a powdery green-blue color and leathery.
Shrub Live Oak
Remarkably drought-tolerant, shrub live oak prefers well-drained terrain.
| | botanical name Quercus turbinella |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 6 – 12 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 10 |
The shrub live oak, also known as Sonora scrub oak, grows in the desert areas of the southwestern United States, from California east to Texas. Its natural habitat includes dry slopes, scrublands, and desert woodlands. It tolerates moist soils but prefers dry, free-draining soils, being a very drought-tolerant species.
The shrub live oak is one of the smaller oak species. It typically grows as a dense shrub, although in ideal conditions, it can grow into a more tree-like form. These trees can form thickets if they’re allowed to naturalize.
The leaves are smallish and evergreen. They are powdery green to pale blue-green above and light green and fuzzy underneath. Shrub live oak leaves are holly-like with sharp points around the edges.
Texas Red Oak
Consider cultivating the Texas red oak in alkaline, well-drained soil for a vibrant landscape addition.
| | botanical name Quercus buckleyi |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 25 – 70 feet |
| | hardiness zones 8 – 9 |
The Texas red oak is native to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. These trees grow on limestone ridges, rocky slopes, and rocky streamsides. They need dry, well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant. Unlike many oaks, the Texas red oak prefers alkaline soil with a pH greater than 7.2.
Texas red oak is a deciduous tree with a rounded crown. This is a small to medium-sized tree in poor to average-quality soil, but these trees can grow to 70 or 80 feet tall in higher-quality soils.
Texas red oak makes a good shade tree. The leaves are glossy green above and light green below. They have pointed edges. The fall foliage is very showy with a beautiful bronze-orange-red color.
Oaks Native to the West Coast
Here are some oak species native to the West Coast that thrive in these localities. Very few oaks are native to this region, and oaks are not generally one of the most common trees to grow in western states. Growing an oak tree in a landscape in this area is still an excellent way to increase the beauty and interest of your garden area.
Oregon White Oak
Oregon white oaks can flourish in full sun, growing into majestic shade trees.
| | botanical name Quercus garryana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 20 – 90 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6 – 9 |
The Oregon white oak, also known as Garry’s oak, is native to the west coast of North America, from Canada south to California. This tree is somewhat common and inhabits mountain ranges, canyons, moist slopes, and stream banks. The Oregon white oak prefers full sun with moist to somewhat dry, well-drained soil.
The Oregon white oak is often a shrub-sized tree, growing no more than 20 feet tall, but in ideal conditions, it can grow up to 80 or 90 feet tall and can make an excellent shade tree. The leaves are deciduous, large, and broadly lobed. Fall foliage is not showy, as the leaves turn green to brown.
Canyon Live Oak
These trees establish themselves in well-drained soil and showcase exceptional drought tolerance once they take root.
| | botanical name Quercus chrysolepis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 20 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 9 |
The canyon live oak is native along the West Coast and includes Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. It inhabits canyons, dry slopes, hillsides, and other sunny areas with well-drained soil. These trees are very drought-tolerant once established.
The canyon live oak has a broad trunk with a rounded crown displaying uneven, spreading growth. It has a shrubby appearance in dry canyons and ridges with dry, rocky soil. As a landscape tree grown in higher-quality soil, it may look more erect and tree-like.
The evergreen leaves are shiny, dark green, and leathery. The young leaves have spiny edges, but more mature leaves have smooth or almost smooth edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oak trees are monoecious, which means they bear separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are long, worm-like catkins which you can see in the springtime. These catkins drop to the ground after blooming. The female flowers occur simultaneously, but you probably won’t see them. They are tiny, non-showy, and located at a leaf and stem axis. Oak trees are wind-pollinated. Any female flowers that are successfully pollinated during the blooming period will become the familiar acorn!
All you need is a fresh acorn and a place to plant it. You can start an acorn in a pot or place it in your yard, where you eventually want an oak tree to grow. Collect a freshly fallen acorn from under your favorite oak tree in the fall. Ensure it is solid and firm, with no holes, cracks, or mushy spots. Plant it about an inch deep in the location of your choice. If you plant it outside, you’ll want to protect it with a critter cage so a hungry squirrel won’t dig it up and eat your future oak tree! Then wait. Oak seedlings will typically sprout and start to grow the following spring.
Oaks are one of the best trees you can grow to support wildlife in your environment. They provide abundant habitat, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds and small mammals. Oaks host numerous caterpillars for several species of butterflies and moths, and in this way, they support pollinators. Birds love to eat caterpillars, so oaks also provide foraging opportunities for hungry birds. The acorns produced in the fall are an essential food source for many species of mammals and even birds. In the winter, oak trees continue to provide shelter and foraging habitat for wildlife. So as you can see, oak trees are excellent year-round wildlife-friendly trees.
Final Thoughts
If you have sufficient space in your yard, growing an oak tree is a wonderful use of your space. Oaks provide shade and beauty that you can enjoy throughout the year. They also provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other resident wildlife.
Oaks are easy to grow, and there are oaks to suit just about any region and growing conditions. Identify your local growing conditions and choose an oak species to match. Any variety of oak that you select will be a valuable, long-lived tree that can enhance your landscape for a lifetime.
