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Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica

Last reviewed: October 2026

Quercus marilandica, or blackjack oak, is a small, tough tree that grows in dry, rocky, or sandy upland soils under full sun. It blooms in April and May and tolerates poor sites where many other trees struggle.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)
Photo: no rights reserved

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Blackjack Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

low

Size

168"–540" H × 168"–540" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Blackjack oak is a medium-sized native tree with distinctive, broad three-lobed leaves that turn yellow to brown in fall. This drought-tolerant oak thrives in poor soils and full sun conditions where other trees struggle. It develops a rounded crown and provides excellent shade once established.

Growing Blackjack Oak

Grow Blackjack Oak in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 168 to 540 inches tall and spread 168 to 540 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Blackjack Oak is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

  • Large mature size may overwhelm smaller properties
  • Slow initial growth rate

Wildlife value

Host plant for gray hairstreak, white-m hairstreak, banded hairstreak.

Supports over 500 species of butterflies and moths as caterpillar host plant, plus provides acorns for wildlife. Spring flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination.

Common questions

When does blackjack oak bloom?
Blackjack oak generally blooms in April and May, producing small, drooping catkins typical of oaks.
Do pollinators visit blackjack oak flowers?
Blackjack oak flowers are mainly wind pollinated, but bees and beetles sometimes visit them for pollen.
What soil conditions does blackjack oak tolerate?
It handles poor, dry, rocky, or sandy soils and is often found on ridgetops and upland flats with low fertility.
How big does blackjack oak get?
Blackjack oak is usually a small tree, reaching about 20 to 30 feet tall with a rounded, irregular crown and thick, leathery leaves.
Is Blackjack Oak toxic to dogs?
Blackjack Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Blackjack Oak toxic to cats?
Blackjack Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Blackjack Oak toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Blackjack Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Blackjack Oak HOA-friendly?
Blackjack Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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