Gambel's Oak
Quercus gambelii
Photographed by Mike Plagens along Sycamore Creek in the Pine Mountain Wilderness, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA. 07 June 2009.
Photographed in Pinetop, Navajo Co., Arizona, USA. 15 Aug. 2009.
Sponsored Links:
LEAVES: Winter deciduous, simple leaves have margins with several broad,
rounded lobes. Oaks often represent hybrids between recognized species and as
such the explorer will find wide variation in leaf texture, shape and
pubescence. The leaves in the lower image at left are thicker and darker green
than usual. This can be the result of genetic mixing or else local
environmental influences. Trees growing in hotter exposed locations can have
smaller, thicker leaves, for example.
TREE: In Arizona's sycamore woodlands Gambel's Oak reaches medium size
with most specimens 7 to 20 m tall. The champion Gambel's Oak growing in
Arizona's Coconino National Forest is almost 32
meters.
FLOWERS: Small flowers without petals are borne early in spring in short
spikes of many flowers. Flower usu. before leaves emerge fully.
RANGE: Found as a component of open woodlands, including riparian
sycamore galleries, mostly above 1500 m.
Very common in Ponderosa Woodlands esp. in ravines, but mostly absent after
fires which kill oaks but leave mature ponderosa pines to survive.
FRUIT: Acorns with a deep cups enclusing nut about ½ way.
UNARMED. No spines or thorns.
Fagaceae -- Oak Family
More Information:
- Flora of North America
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search