Unique Features: The Gambel oak (too often belittled with the name ‘scrub oak’) is native to the foothill regions of the ‘4 corner’ states. The size of these oaks can vary above and below the noted sizes depending on their environment. They grow slowly with natural moisture and a little faster with minimal irrigation. The trunks are upright, usually, but not straight and the branches are even more crooked. The acorns are a food source for birds and large and small mammals.  The groves along the foothills are the results of root shoots, or suckers, and slowly spread. This method of propagation is important to wildfire regeneration. Clonal regeneration also accounts for the different patches of fall colors in the stands of Gambels growing along the foothills.