[5] It was first described by Otto Schwarz[de], who named it in honour of Theodor Kotschy, an Austrian botanist who had travelled extensively in the region.

Quercus kotschyana grows in the northern Lebanon Mountains, on west-facing slopes between 1,650 and 1,950 metres elevation.

Other associated trees include Juniperus excelsa, Torminalis glaberrima, Aria graeca, Crateagus spp., Acer hyrcanum subsp.

The species' population is currently stable, and is threatened with further habitat loss from climate change, logging and development, and pests and disease.

Several populations, including those at Horsh Ehden, Tannourine, Bsharri, Jaj, and Danniyeh, are in protected areas which prohibit forest cutting.