Quercus texana , commonly known as Nuttall's Oak , is a fast growing large deciduous Oak tree native to North America from the lower Mississippi river valley from SE Missouri to Southern Louisiana and SE Texas and East through Mississippi to Central Alabama . It has sharp pointed leaves somewhat similar to the Georgia Oak ( Quercus georgiana ) and Pin Oak ( Quercus palustris ). It is fast growing and usually has nice red fall colors, much more reliably so than the more popular Pin Oak. It is still relatively obscure in the horticultural industry but is slowly gaining popularity due to its fast growth rate, ease of transplanting, good fall colors and ability to grow in wet soils. Its previous scientific name was Quercus nuttallii , but it is now known as Quercus texana ; this has created much confusion with Texas Red Oak which was known as Quercus texana but is now known as Quercus buckleyi .