It is native to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the United States, from Virginia around Florida to Texas and inland to Oklahoma and Arkansas.

[3] Quercus incana often grows in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems, where it shares the understory with turkey oak (Q. laevis) and wiregrass (Aristida stricta).

In the Big Thicket of Texas it codominates with post oak (Q. stellata) and a number of pines.

It is well adapted to wildfire and grows in habitat where fire is common and often required, such as longleaf pine ecosystems.

[3] The acorns provide food for many animal species including the Sherman's fox squirrel, which lives in longleaf pine communities.