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GAMBEL OAK (Quercus gambelii)
Other names: Rocky Mountain white oak, oak.

POOR

This "white oak" is found in the Rocky Mountain states from Wyoming to Arizona and New Mexico. The tree is usually scrubby and more in the class of brush than a tree. It seldom reaches more than 12" diameter and about 35 ft. high. The tree usually dies and decays quickly. If found, the original blaze is usually decayed. If overgrown and healed it is difficult to identify in the thickets in which it grows. The question becomes "which half dead, scarred or decayed tree is the bearing tree"? The result is that extreme care must be taken not to overlook the original bearing tree in the corner search. Recovery rate runs about 50% in Arizona. 

Do not use the gambel oak unless nothing else is available of better quality. Then select the best formed specimen as large as is available. Keep the blaze small, probably only a bark blaze would be best, and paint thoroughly. Release from a dense thicket. Use a mound of stone as an additional accessory.