Quercus agrifolia

Photographs

My photos:

This is a photo taken at Caspers Wilderness Park, of the canopy of stately grove of Coast Live Oak.

Click on the thumbnail below to see a photo of the trunk of an old oak with holes in it made by Acorn Woodpeckers to store acorns for later use.

More photos:

LasPilitas shows a nice closeup of the leaves, about the middle of the page.
LasPilitas2 shows a photo of the acorns of the Coast Live Oak.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Fagaceae

In the garden:

Coast Live Oak is an evergreen oak which reaches a height of from 30 to 80 feet, often in the form of a broad dome, but this varies by location. The trunk is smooth or with broad checkered ridges in old trees. The acorn matures during the first year. This hardwood is fast growing when young, especially with ample water: after 10 years growth, it will reach a height of 25 feet and after 25 years growth, it will reach a height of 50 feet. It prefers marine influences, but will do well inland on not-too-dry slopes. It is peerless as a large specimen in parks and it can also serve as a magnificent year- around cover for the small garden. Also, it may be sheared into an attractive hedge of 10 to 12 foot height. Seeds will not germinate in areas of compact soil. It has a problem with oak moth larvae and is susceptible to root rot if the soil level surrounding the trunk is either raised or lowered. It has greedy roots and will drop almost all of its old leaves in the early spring. It does not like water in summer.

In the wild:

Coast Live Oak is common in valleys and on not-to-dry slopes, below 3000 feet. Scrub Jays facilitate the uphill spread of this tree by taking acorns and burying them on hillsides.

Ethnobotany:

The acorn of oak trees including the Coast Live Oak was a dietary staple to native people. Dried acorns could be stored for a year or more. The acorn was ground into a flour and leached with water to remove the tannins. It was then made into a type of mush flavored with berries or ground seeds, baked as a bread, pancake or soup. Acorn meal was used as payment for goods and services. Acorns were used as bait in hunting small animals, in children's games, strung as necklaces and as a musical instrument.

The dried wood of the Coast Live Oak was used as cooking and heating fuel. The bark was considered the best fuel for firing pottery, although the bark of other oaks was also used. It also provided a wash for sores when boiled into a decoction.

Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)