Turkey Oak
Quercus laevis
- Native to:
- United States
gailhampshire (www.flickr.com) from Cradley, Malvern, U.K
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus laevis
- USDA Symbol:
- QULA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
almond bud moth (Acrobasis minimella), Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Carpenterworm Moth (Prionoxystus robiniae), consular oakworm moth (Anisota consularis), Echo Moth (Seirarctia echo), Georgia Archips Moth (Archips georgiana), Hyparpax perophoroides, Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Io moth (Automeris io), maple-basswood leafroller (Sparganothis pettitana), Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens) Moths:Acronicta brumosa, Paraeschra georgica, Variable Heterocampa (Heterocampa varia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer, turkey, squirrels
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted; thick bark protects cambium, resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Evolved in fire-maintained sandhills and longleaf pine ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in sandy ridges and uplands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Acorns have no dormancy and germinate readily in fall after dispersal. Plant 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 60 days.
Source: Claude AI