Tucker Oak
Quercus john-tuckeri
- Native to:
- United States
Joe Decruyenaere (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus john-tuckeri
- USDA Symbol:
- QUJO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrobasis comptella, Andromache Underwing (Catocala andromache), Cameraria jacintoensis, Cameraria temblorensis, Catocala californiensis, Decodes fragariana, Gloveria medusa, Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Oslar's oakworm moth (Anisota oslari), Rhodophaea kofa, Telphusa sedulitella, tiger moth (Malacosoma tigris), Tischeria consanguinea, Xenolechia querciphaga
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire, typical of chaparral-associated scrub oaks.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid conditions typical of chaparral habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Acorns germinate readily after cold stratification; sow immediately after collection for best results.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Source: Claude AI