Scrub oak can be a troublesome shrub, so pruning it in areas such as Parker is very important for a lot of reasons. Scrub oak loves dry landscapes and can be found in at-risk areas of wildfire, so either removing them completely or pruning them back becomes a very essential thing to do. How to Identify a Scrub Oak? The leaves of a gambel oak are reasonably long (up to 6inches) with up to 9 lobes on each that are hairy underneath. The scrub oak also has acorns attached which are about an inch long and sit in bowl-shaped cups. The acorns can be eaten by deer and various other animals such as rodents. Benefits Of Scrub Oak Pruning Pruning