White-tailed Deer Food Habits and Preferences in the Cross Timbers

Common Name: Post oak
Scientific Name: Quercus stellata
Post oak is a cornerstone species of the Cross Timbers
and Prairies Region and is a significant component
of wildlife habitat in the region. Height ranges up to
75 feet but most trees are considerably shorter with
stout limbs and a dense rounded appearance. Leaves
are typically 4 to 7 inches long with 5 deep lobes, the
middle lobes giving a square appearance and crosslike
shape to the leathery green leaves. Post oak is in
the white oak group and acorns mature the first
season. Acorns are set in their cup 1/3 to 1/2 their
length. Post oak is a preferred browse species for
deer. Browse lines often occur where deer or
livestock numbers are high. Use of cool season
prescribed fire enhances growth of Post oak within
the browsing zone of deer. Post oak is deciduous.
Seasons of Use: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Forage Classes: Browse and Mast
Common Name: Prickly pear
Scientific Name: Opuntia lindheimeri
Prickly pear is a mat or clump forming
perennial cactus with jointed flat stems with
1 to 2 inch long stiff white to gray spines.
Fruits, called tunas, are 1 1/4 to 3 inches
long and red to dark purple. Flowers are
yellow. Pads measure 7 to 12 inches long
and 6 to 8 inches broad. Prickly
pear increases on overgrazed
rangelands and spreads where
pads touch the ground and by
seeds. Fire is effective for prickly
pear control. Prickly pear is a
low preference browse plant for
white-tailed deer in the Cross
Timbers and Prairies Region.
Fruits are eaten as mast and it is
nondeciduous. Dense stands of
prickly pear in combination with
native bunchgrass provide cover
for ground nesting birds such as
bobwhite quail.
Seasons of Use: Summer, Fall
Forage Classes: Browse and Mast
44 APPENDIX B: NATIVE FOOD PLANTS - WOODY PLANTS