Emory Oak
Quercus emoryi
Last reviewed: October 2026
Emory Oak (Quercus emoryi) 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.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
360"–480" H × 360"–480" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, NM, TX
Pollinators
butterflies, moths
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Emory Oak is a medium-sized native Texas oak that reaches 30-40 feet tall and wide at maturity. This semi-evergreen tree provides excellent shade and structure to the landscape while maintaining foliage through most of the year. It produces spring blooms that support pollinators and develops into a well-formed canopy tree.
In an HOA neighborhood
Emory Oak takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract butterflies and moths, while the acorns provide food for wildlife. As a native oak, it supports numerous native insects and birds throughout the growing season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Emory Oak need?
- Emory Oak grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Emory Oak bloom?
- Emory Oak blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Emory Oak native?
- Emory Oak (Quercus emoryi) is native to AZ, NM, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Emory Oak toxic to dogs?
- Emory Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Emory Oak toxic to cats?
- Emory Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Emory Oak attract?
- Emory Oak draws butterflies and moths.
- Is Emory Oak HOA-friendly?
- Emory Oak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Emory Oak? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.