Homegrown from bay to table.
We know that Texans love oysters, especially oysters they can feel good about.
Big Tree Oyster Company is committed to growing oysters that are healthy for people and our bays.
We cultivate a reliable source of fresh, premium oysters for the communities of Texas. Our mission is to grow top-quality oysters, with good stewardship and sustainability at the heart of all we do.
Clean waters, dedicated farmers, great oysters.
We grow Eastern oysters, which are native to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast. Our growing methods have been used on the East Coast and West Coast for decades to sustainably grow premium-quality oysters.
Big Tree oysters are hand-selected and harvested when they reach a size of 2.5 to 3 inches. You’ll love their deep cups, plump meats, and clean, crisp taste. The natural habitats surrounding our growing location give the oysters a unique “merroir,” with delicious saltiness, bright flavor, and a sweet buttery finish.
For the good of the Texas coast.
Our farm is located in Copano Bay, one of the healthiest bay systems in Texas for oysters. Big Tree oysters are raised in the top of the water column, where they get ideal growing conditions, clean waters, and dedicated care from our team.
We love oyster mariculture because it improves water quality, enhances habitat structure in Texas bays, and reduces pressure on our wild oyster reefs. Our farm does not require any food, fertilizer, or chemicals—the oysters feed on the nutrients in the bay water, and that’s all they need to grow and thrive.
A collaboration with nature.
Husband-and-wife team Amy and Seth, both born and raised in Rockport, Texas, started Big Tree Oyster Company out of their long-standing love and respect for oysters and the Texas coast. Amy is a conservation biologist, and Seth is a marine hydrographer and professional boat-builder.
For us, growing oysters is a true collaboration with nature, and this is our way of living out our commitment to a thriving and sustainable Texas coast. These homegrown oysters are a celebration of the rich maritime heritage of Rockport, Texas, embodying local flavors in every bite.
Every oyster has a story.
Rockport is situated on the south Texas coast, approximately 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, nestled on the Live Oak Peninsula between Aransas and Copano Bays. Copano Bay was named after the Copane group of the Karankawa tribe, the original people of the Texas coast. Our farm site is in close proximity to the wildlands of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Goose Island State Park, and the mouth of the clean-running Copano Creek.
The inspiration for the name “Big Tree Oyster Company” comes from the historic live oak tree near the oyster farm in Goose Island State Park. This legendary oak has held strong and steady for people of the coast for centuries.
FAQ
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Yes! Farmed oysters can be harvested and consumed year-round. Historically, we did not eat oysters in warmer months ("months without an R") in order to protect wild populations during seasonal spawning and reduce risks of foodborne illness. Now, with oyster mariculture, we can harvest year-round because we do not depend on seasonal spawning and we are not depleting the wild oyster populations. Also, with modern refrigeration, we can cool them down quickly and safely, which reduces the risks of foodborne illness and allows us to supply fresh oysters year-round.