Chisos Red Oak vs Scarlet Oak

Quercus gravesii compared with Quercus coccinea

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Chisos Red Oak	Scarlet Oak
Kingdom same	Plantae (bitki)	Plantae (bitki)
Phylum same	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class same	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order same	Fagales (Beeches & Oaks)	Fagales (Beeches & Oaks)
Family same	Fagaceae (Beech Family)	Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Genus same	Quercus (Oaks)	Quercus (Oaks)
Species	Quercus gravesii	Quercus coccinea

Evolutionary Relationship

Chisos Red Oak and Scarlet Oak share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Quercus. (Oaks)

Conservation Status

Chisos Red Oak

LC — Least Concern

Scarlet Oak

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Chisos Red Oak	Scarlet Oak
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Chisos Red Oak

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Scarlet Oak

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Distributed across Brazil and United States.

Chisos Red Oak

The Chisos Red Oak (Quercus gravesii) is a medium-sized deciduous oak native to the mountain ranges of the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and extending into adjacent areas of northeastern Mexico, including the Sierra Madre Oriental foothills. It belongs to the red oak group (section Lobatae) within the family Fagaceae, characterised by leaves with lobes ending in bristle tips and acorns that take two seasons to ripen. Quercus gravesii typically grows on rocky slopes and canyon walls at mid to high elevations, forming part of diverse Madrean woodland and pinyon-juniper communities alongside other oaks, junipers, and conifers. Its foliage turns red and orange in autumn, providing a striking display in the typically muted desert mountain landscape. The species is an important component of its ecosystem, providing food and habitat for numerous birds and mammals; acorns are consumed by jays, woodpeckers, deer, and small rodents. Hypnotic hybridisation with related oak species is documented in areas of sympatry. The IUCN classifies Chisos Red Oak as Least Concern, with populations considered stable across its range. It is well represented within protected areas including Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains. Threats are limited but include drought stress exacerbated by climate change and browsing pressure from white-tailed deer.