Gambel oak
Quercus gambelii
Last reviewed: November 2026
Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CO, NM, NV and 4 more states. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw wind pollinated.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Gambel oak, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
180"–360" H × 180"–300" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CO, NM, NV and 4 more states
Pollinators
wind pollinated
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 461 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
This is a deciduous oak that ranges from a thicket-forming shrub to a small tree, with lobed leaves that turn russet in fall and inconspicuous catkin flowers in spring. It grows on dry foothills and often forms dense colonies from root suckers.
Growing Gambel oak
Grow Gambel oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 180 to 360 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Banded Hairstreak.
Oaks as a group support more caterpillar species than almost any other native plant genus, including documented use by the Banded Hairstreak, and the acorns are a major food source for birds and mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does Gambel oak need?
- Gambel oak grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Gambel oak bloom?
- Gambel oak blooms in April and May.
- Where is Gambel oak native?
- Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is native to AZ, CO, NM, NV and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Gambel oak host?
- Gambel oak is a larval host plant for Banded Hairstreak.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Gambel oak? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.