Small tree to 6 m (20 ft) tall, or a thicket-forming shrub. Bark light gray, furrowed into scaly ridges. Twigs thick, light brown, finely hairy, ending in a cluster of small hairy buds. Leaves alternate, elliptical or oblong, deeply 7-11 rounded-lobed about halfway to midvein, tapering to base, 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long and 3-8 cm (1.2-3.1 in) wide, shiny dark green above, pale green and hairy below. Fruits are acorns maturing in the first year, egg-shaped, about 15 mm (0.6 in) long, with cup covering about 1/3.
Distribution: Native to the Rocky Mountain region, from Wyoming south to Mexico and west to Nevada.
Habitat: In Oklahoma, the species is found only on rocky slopes in the mesa region of western Cimarron County.
NWI status: none
Comment: Quercus is the ancient classical name for the European oaks; gambelii honors the American botanist William Gambel.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/16/99
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