The specific epithet honors U.S. Army surgeon and botanist Valery Havard, who contributed much to the knowledge of southwestern plants.

[4] Rhizomes range from 3–15 centimetres (1+1⁄4–6 inches) in diameter and are concentrated in the upper 60 cm (24 in) of soil, although penetration depths of 9 m (30 ft) have been reported in shifting dunes.

Shinnery oak is native to western Oklahoma, west Texas, eastern New Mexico, and two isolated populations in southwest Kansas.

It is considered undesirable on grazing lands, because it competes with better livestock forage and its buds and leaves are toxic to cattle for several weeks in spring.

Stocking rates and rotational grazing patterns exist that reduce the incidence of shinnery oak poisoning of cattle.

Excessive control of shinnery oak is controversial because it can open sandy soils to wind erosion and can conflict with wildlife-habitat quality.

[4] Because shinnery oak thrives in a harsh environment, it functions as a sand dune stabilizer, protecting sandy soils from wind erosion.

Collared peccaries, lesser prairie-chickens, northern bobwhites, and many other wildlife species eat shinnery oak acorns.

Shinnery oak habitats are used by black-tailed jackrabbits, desert cottontails, eastern cottontails, wild turkeys, western box turtles, a diversity of arthropods, approximately 25 snake species, and approximately 10 lizard species, including the endangered sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus).

Maintaining wildlife habitat and improving vegetation for livestock grazing are often in conflict, and should be carefully considered before undertaking control of shinnery oak.