Plant DetailShow Menu

Quercus x bushii is often confused with:
Quercus coccinea Form
Quercus marilandica Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Nyssa sylvatica Nyssa sylvatica
Quercus montana Form
Ulmus americana Full Form
Quercus x bushii has some common insect problems:
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Galls on Oaks

Bush Oak Quercus x bushii

Phonetic Spelling
KWER-kus BUSH-ee-eye
Description

Bush oak is a native deciduous hybrid in the Fagaceae (beech) family.  This large tree is a cross between Q. marilandica and Q. coccina.  Growing up to a mature height of 65 feet tall

Plant in full sun to phartial shade in many soil types as long as they are moist.  The dark green leaves turn attractive red or yellow tones in the fall.

This plant can be propagated by seed or grafting.  

Insects, Diseses, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids are an occasional pest problem producing honeydew that can drip on hard surfaces below the tree.  Galls appear but cause no issues other than cosmetic. Powdery mildew and honey fungus are common disease problems.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Seattle Trident'
    Glossy leaves turn bronze in fall and remain on tree
'Seattle Trident'
Tags:
#shade tree#native tree#NC native#glossy leaves#leathery leaves#deciduous tree#fall color yellow#fall color red
 
Form of tree (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Form of tree (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Branches with leaves (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Branches with leaves (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Front and back of leaves (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Front and back of leaves (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Lobed margins (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Lobed margins (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
End buds (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
End buds (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Side view of acorns (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Side view of acorns (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Bottom view of acorns (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Bottom view of acorns (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Fissured bark (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Fissure bark (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall Douglas Goldman, USDA CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Seattle Trident'
    Glossy leaves turn bronze in fall and remain on tree
'Seattle Trident'
Tags:
#shade tree#native tree#NC native#glossy leaves#leathery leaves#deciduous tree#fall color yellow#fall color red
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Quercus
    Family:
    Fagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and northeastern U.S.A.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    Acorns oval cap extends halfway down nut
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Insignificant
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Oboval rounded lobes dark green above lighter yellow and hairy below. Attractive red to yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Furrowed
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stout, tomentose when young glabrous as the season progresses. 1 cm long buds.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree