Valley oak

Quercus lobata Née

Family: FagaceaeZones: 7a-9b per NC State Plant Toolbox

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

fruits, leaves

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

gallotannins, quercitrin, quercetin

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA lists this plant toxic to horses only; no dog or cat statement. ASPCA has only the genus page "Oak (Quercus species)": toxic to horses (gallotannin). NC State tags valley oak Problem for Horses. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 7a-9b per NC State Plant Toolbox
Light: Full sun per NC State.
Water needs: moderate moderate is a plain-language reading of NC State: grows in deep fertile soil in hot dry climates but needs access to groundwater; drainage good, moist or occasionally dry. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: NC State: 50-70 ft tall and 30-50 ft wide in the attribute table; the description says it can grow to 100 ft or more and live 600 years, trunk up to 10 ft across

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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