Red Oak and White Oak Trees for Sale

Deciduous Shade Trees with Outstanding Fall Color

While the Live Oak dominates Houston's evergreen landscape, the deciduous oaks bring something the Live Oak cannot: stunning fall color. The red oak and white oak families include some of the finest large shade trees available for Southeast Texas landscapes, and several species are superbly adapted to the Houston, Katy, and Richmond climate. At Bill Bownds Nursery, we stock the varieties that have proven themselves in our local clay soils and humid summers.

Popular Varieties We Carry

Red Oak Group

• Shumard Red Oak (Quercus shumardii): The most popular red oak for Houston landscapes. Fast-growing, reaching 40 to 60 feet tall with a 40-foot spread. Produces brilliant red to orange-red fall color. Excellent tolerance for clay soil and periodic flooding.
• Nuttall Oak (Quercus texana): Native to the bottomlands of East Texas, the Nuttall Oak thrives in wet clay soils that would stress other species. Grows 40 to 60 feet tall with a pyramidal form in youth that broadens with age. Red to russet fall color. Arguably the best deciduous oak for low-lying Houston yards.
• Texas Red Oak (Quercus buckleyi): A smaller oak reaching 30 to 50 feet. Excellent red fall color and more compact growth habit. Well-suited to smaller residential lots.

White Oak Group

• Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa): A massive, long-lived tree reaching 60 to 80 feet tall. Known for its deeply furrowed bark, large acorns, and resistance to virtually every pest and disease. Golden-brown fall color. Extremely drought-tolerant once established.
• Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii): A medium-sized oak reaching 40 to 50 feet. Tolerates alkaline clay soils that are common in parts of Katy and Richmond. Yellow to orange fall color.
• White Oak (Quercus alba): The classic white oak with a broad, rounded canopy. Grows 50 to 80 feet tall. Deep wine-red to purple fall color. Performs well in well-drained areas of Houston landscapes.

Growth Timeline and Mature Size

Deciduous oaks generally grow faster than Live Oaks in their early years. Here is a typical timeline for Shumard and Nuttall Oaks in our area:

• Year 1-3: 2 to 4 feet of growth per year during establishment. These are among the fastest-growing shade trees for Houston.
• Year 3-10: Continued rapid growth of 2 to 3 feet per year. The canopy fills in and the trunk develops significant caliper.
• Year 10-20: Growth rate moderates to 1 to 2 feet per year as the tree approaches mature height.
• Mature size: Most varieties reach 40 to 60 feet tall with spreads of 30 to 50 feet. Bur Oaks can exceed 80 feet in ideal conditions.

Planting Guide for Texas Clay Soil

Deciduous oaks establish well in Houston-area clay, especially the Shumard and Nuttall varieties, which are native to clay bottomlands. Follow these recommendations:

Site Selection

• Full sun is required for all deciduous oaks. At least 8 hours of direct sunlight produces the best growth and fall color.
• Nuttall Oaks tolerate the wettest sites. If your property has drainage issues, the Nuttall is your best oak choice.
• Bur Oaks prefer slightly drier conditions and are ideal for upland areas and well-drained slopes.
• Allow at least 25 feet from structures and 15 feet from pavement for adequate root and canopy space.

Planting Technique

• Dig the hole 3 times wider than the root ball and no deeper than the root ball height.
• Ensure the root flare is visible at or above the soil surface after planting.
• Backfill with native soil. In heavy clay, score the sides of the hole with a shovel to prevent a glazed surface that inhibits root penetration.
• Mulch with 3 to 4 inches of hardwood mulch. Keep mulch away from the trunk.
• Water deeply at planting and maintain a twice-weekly deep watering schedule for the first two growing seasons.

Care and Maintenance

Watering

Young deciduous oaks need regular deep watering during establishment. After two to three years, most species are moderately to highly drought-tolerant. Nuttall Oaks actually prefer moist conditions and benefit from supplemental watering during droughts. Bur Oaks are the most drought-tolerant of the group.

Fertilizing

Apply a slow-release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of approximately 12-4-8 in early spring. Avoid late-season fertilization, which promotes tender growth vulnerable to early freezes.

Pruning

Prune deciduous oaks in late winter while dormant (January through February). This timing minimizes sap loss and reduces disease transmission risk. Remove dead wood, crossing branches, and any limbs growing toward the center of the canopy. Structural pruning in the first 5 years is critical for developing strong branch architecture. Read more seasonal care tips on our nursery blog.

Container Sizes Available

We stock the most popular varieties in multiple sizes:

• 15-gallon: 6 to 8 feet tall. An affordable choice for long-term shade tree investment.
• 30-gallon: 8 to 12 feet tall. Our best-selling size for residential shade tree planting.
• 45-gallon: 12 to 14 feet tall. Significant trunk caliper and canopy development.
• 65-gallon: 14 to 16 feet tall. Impressive specimens for estate and commercial projects.
• 95-gallon: 16 to 18 feet tall. Our largest containerized oaks for instant impact.

Not every variety is available in every size at all times. Call ahead or visit to check current inventory. We supply both retail and volume pricing customers.

Delivery and Professional Installation

Bill Bownds Nursery delivers and installs deciduous oaks throughout Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, Rosenberg, Fulshear, and the surrounding area. Large-caliper oaks require equipment and expertise for safe handling. Our crews ensure proper planting depth, root flare exposure, and post-planting care. Contact us for a custom quote on your shade tree project.

Want to combine deciduous oaks with evergreens for year-round interest? Pair Shumard Oaks with Eagleston Holly for winter screening, or add Pecan Trees for a productive native landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Oaks and White Oaks

How fast do Red Oaks and White Oaks grow in Houston?

Red Oaks — particularly the Shumard Red Oak and Nuttall Oak — are among the fastest-growing oak species in the Houston area, adding 2 to 4 feet of height per year in favorable conditions. They thrive in our long growing season and tolerate the heat and humidity that slows many other species. White Oaks, including the Bur Oak, grow at a more moderate pace of 1 to 2 feet per year but develop impressive spreading canopies and extremely strong wood that resists storm damage. Both groups are well-suited to the Houston climate and will provide substantial shade within 5 to 8 years after planting. Shumard Red Oaks are an especially popular choice for homeowners who want both fast growth and reliable fall color.

What size Red Oak or White Oak should I buy?

For the best balance of value and immediate impact, most homeowners choose 30- to 45-gallon Red or White Oaks (8 to 12 feet tall). These sizes transplant reliably and begin growing vigorously in their first full season. If fall color is your primary goal, the Shumard Red Oak in a 45-gallon container is an excellent choice — the tree is large enough to produce a visible canopy of red and orange foliage the first November after planting. For larger properties or commercial projects, our 65- and 95-gallon specimens provide an established look immediately. Stop by Bill Bownds Nursery to compare varieties and sizes side by side.

Do Red Oaks and White Oaks grow well in clay soil?

Both Red Oaks and White Oaks perform well in Houston-area clay soil, though with different strengths. Shumard Red Oaks and Nuttall Oaks are native to the bottomlands of East Texas and are naturally adapted to heavy, periodically wet clay. They handle the drainage challenges of Beaumont clay without complaint. Bur Oaks (White Oak family) are drought-champions with deep taproots that penetrate even compacted clay. The key for all oaks in clay is to plant at the correct depth — never below grade — and avoid amending the planting hole, which traps water. Our 50-plus years of growing oaks in Fort Bend County clay gives us confidence in recommending these species for local landscapes.

How much do Red Oak and White Oak trees cost?

Red Oak and White Oak pricing varies by species and container size. Shumard Red Oaks are our most popular variety in this category, with pricing starting at our standard 15-gallon rate and increasing with container size. Nuttall Oaks and Bur Oaks are also available in multiple sizes. Volume discounts apply on orders of 10 or more trees, making these oaks an excellent choice for HOA projects and large residential properties. Call (281) 277-2033 for current pricing on specific species and sizes, or visit us at 2110 Cedar Lane in Katy to get a quote in person.

Do you deliver Red Oaks and White Oaks to Houston, Katy, and Richmond?

We deliver all oak varieties to Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and communities throughout the Greater Houston area. Large oaks require careful handling during transport, and our delivery crew has the equipment and experience to move trees of all sizes safely. Professional installation is available and recommended for 45-gallon and larger specimens. Visit our retail services page for delivery details, or call us to schedule a delivery date that coordinates with your landscaping timeline.