Bluejack Oak

Quercus incana (KWER-kus in-KAN-nuh)

Family: Fagaceae Native Canopy (>40 ft)

Bluejack Oak is a thicket-forming deciduous large shrub or small tree with blue-green leaves found in the coastal and Piedmont of NC. Its native habitat is well-drained sandy soils of barrens, ridges, and shaded woods of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the United States, from Virginia around Florida to Texas and inland to Oklahoma and Arkansas The trunk is short and the crooked branches form an open, irregular crown. The acorns are formed biennially and are loved by wildlife. The blue-green leaves are attractive but no fall color. It is often found growing in a shrub form to about 20 feet tall. This is a drought-tolerant tree for well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. The smaller size makes it a perfect shade tree for those with smaller yards but still can provide a haven for wildlife. It is a host plant for the larvae of the Imperial moth ( Eacles imperialis ) , as well as numerous butterflies, including Banded hairstreak ( Satyrium calanus ) , Edward's hairstreak ( Satyrium edwardsii ) , Gray hairstreak ( Strymon melinus ) , White-m hairstreak ( Parrhasius malbum ) , Horace's duskywing ( Erynnis horatius ) , and Juvenalis duskywing ( Erynnis juvenalis ) . Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Numerous insect and disease pests, but the damage is rarely significant. Susceptible to oak wilt, anthracnose, cankers, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and oak leaf blister. Potential pests include scales, oak skeletonizers, leaf miners, aphids, galls, orangestriped oakworm, buck moth, whitemarked tussock moth, and lace bugs. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and insects.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 72 attributes.