Lawn guides

When do live oaks drop their leaves in San Antonio?

Written by Backyard Boys Lawn Co., San Antonio · Updated October 22, 2026

Live oaks in San Antonio drop their old leaves in late winter and spring, right as the new leaves push out. Texas A&M’s Plant Clinic says live oaks are not true evergreens and drop their old leaves as new leaves emerge in the spring. It is normal.

When does it happen?

It runs in stages.

Late January and February. The Plant Clinic says live oaks can look sickly when temperatures begin to rise a little, typically in late January and in February. Some leaves turn yellow or brown. That is the tree getting ready, not a problem.

March through early May. A second Plant Clinic page says its calls about “dying” live oaks come in March through early May, which is this leaf drop. It says the trees stay green through winter and begin to shed their leaves when the weather starts to get warm. The City of Lakeway, in the Texas Hill Country, describes live oaks the same way: semi-evergreen, retaining their leaves through winter and shedding them in early spring.

The exact weeks change from year to year with the weather. A warm late winter starts it sooner.

Why does it look so messy?

Because the tree is not bare. Old leaves come down while new ones come out, so you get leaves on the ground for weeks and a canopy that stays mostly green. Live oaks also hold a lot of leaves, so the pile in a yard with a big tree can be heavy.

The drop also lands close to when lawns start to green up. See when grass goes dormant and wakes up in San Antonio.

What should you do with the leaves?

Match the method to the layer:

Thin layer: mow it into the lawn. See our guide on whether to rake or mow leaves.
Thick layer: rake it into your beds, or bag it. If the drop is bigger than the green cart takes, that is a yard cleanup.

Do not wait for the last leaf to fall. Light cleanups through the drop are easier than one big one at the end.

Can live oak leaves go in the beds?

Yes, and they are worth keeping. Texas A&M AgriLife says fallen leaves hold 50 to 80 percent of the nutrients the tree took up that season, and a mower with a bag is a fast and easy way to shred and collect them. Shredded leaves stay put better than whole ones. AgriLife’s numbers are 3 to 6 inches around trees and shrubs and 2 to 3 inches in flower beds. SAWS adds that leaf litter in the beds helps hold down weeds and locks in moisture, so you water less.

Book a spring cleanup

Plan for a cleanup in March and April, when most of the drop is on the ground. Text a photo of your yard to 210-595-9546. We count the work and text back one price. Or see our leaf removal page.

Text us at 210-595-9546 to book your spring cleanup.

Quick answers

When do live oaks drop their leaves?

In spring, as the new leaves come out. Texas A&M's Plant Clinic says live oaks drop their old leaves as new leaves emerge in the spring. Expect it from late winter into early May.

Are live oaks evergreen?

Not truly. Texas A&M's Plant Clinic says live oaks are not true evergreens. They keep their leaves through winter, then shed them when spring growth starts.

Why does my live oak look sick in February?

The Plant Clinic says the leaves can make the tree look sickly when temperatures begin to rise a little, typically in late January and in February. This is the start of the normal change, not a disease.

How long does the leaf drop last?

Most of the drop lands in March and April. The Plant Clinic says its calls about "dying" live oaks come in March through early May, which is the leaf drop. How heavy it is in your yard depends on the tree and the weather that year.

Should I rake live oak leaves or mow them?

A thin layer can be mowed into the lawn. A thick layer is better raked into the beds or bagged. Our rake or mow guide has the rule of thumb.

Can you clean up the leaves for me?

Yes. Text us in spring and we book a cleanup. We price it from a photo of your yard.