Quick answer: Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is native to 8 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: cogdogblog, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Dry |
| Soil | Rocky soils, acid-based/calcareous/sandy/loam/clay |
| Bloom | Mar-May |
| Height | Up to 50 ft |
| Wildlife value | Food/shelter for deer/small mammals, substrate for insectivorous birds, larval host for Colorado Hairstreak butterfly |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 15 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 15 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Gambel oak
Where is Gambel oak native?
Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is native to Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Gambel oak bloom?
Gambel oak blooms Mar-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Gambel oak need?
Light: Part Shade. Water: Dry. Soil: Rocky soils, acid-based/calcareous/sandy/loam/clay. Mature height: Up to 50 ft.
Is Gambel oak good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Food/shelter for deer/small mammals, substrate for insectivorous birds, larval host for Colorado Hairstreak butterfly.
Is Gambel oak deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Gambel oak is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy Gambel oak?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 15 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Quercus gambelii by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Gambel oak.
- Chokecherry Prunus virginiana
- Quaking aspen Populus tremuloides
- Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides
- Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria
Also listed under
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