Where do blue oaks grow?
The blue oak is native to the state of California on the western coast of North America. In its natural habitat it grows in the valleys and lower slopes of the Coast Ranges, the lower western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and the north slope of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Is blue oak A red oak?
It is California’s most drought-tolerant deciduous oak, and is a dominant species in the blue oak woodland ecosystem. It is occasionally known as mountain oak and iron oak….Quercus douglasii.
| Blue oak | |
|---|---|
| Subgenus: | Quercus subg. Quercus |
| Section: | Quercus sect. Quercus |
| Species: | Q. douglasii |
| Binomial name |
How fast does a blue oak grow?
The age analysis showed that, in general, blue oaks grow very slowly. On average, trees that were 7 inches in diameter were 100 years old. Although growth was slightly faster than this in some locations, even at the best site, it took an average of ten years for a tree to grow each inch in thickness.
Do blue oaks lose their leaves?
Normally blue oaks are winter-deciduous, dropping their leaves in the fall. They will normally produce a fall crop of acorns from stored food and then follow up with new leaves in the spring. A tree owner may be tempted to water drought-stressed oaks, but should avoid doing so.
What does blue oak look like?
Blue Oaks are medium-sized deciduous trees growing up to 50-82 feet tall, usually with a somewhat irregularly-shaped crown, and a trunk 1.5-3 feet in diameter. The name Blue Oak derives from the dark blue-green tint of its leaves, which are deciduous, 1.5-4 inches long, and entire or shallowly lobed.
Are Blue Oaks deciduous?
Like most of the Fagaceae, or oak family, the flowers are yellow and inconspicuous, and borne upon catkins. Unlike some other California oaks, blue oak is deciduous.
Is there a blue oak tree?
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii Hook. Blue oak is endemic to California. It inhabits the foothills surrounding the Great Central Valley, essentially encircling it. In slightly higher foothill elevations, blue oak often appears with grey pine (Pinus sabiniana), another California endemic named for its grey-green leaves.
How old do blue oaks live?
Trees in mature stands are typically 90 to 100 years old [18,66]. The oldest known blue oak, in Sequoia National Park, is about 400 years old [173].
Is a blue oak deciduous?
How do I identify a blue oak tree?
The bark is light gray with many medium-sized dark cracks; from a distance, it can appear almost white. The name Blue Oak derives from the dark blue-green tint of its leaves, which are deciduous, 1.5-4 inches long, and entire or shallowly lobed.
How do blue oaks grow?
Plant the acorns one-half to one inch below the soil surface. Dig a hole using a hand trowel, hoe, or shovel. It’s best to dig the hole several inches deeper than the acorn is actually planted, and then partially fill the hole back up with loose soil.
How do you prune a blue oak tree?
Prune the crown of the California oak during the winter months each year for three years after planting. Remove low-growing branches to force the crown into a strong and attractive arching shape. Remove all branches with a narrow crotch to increase branch strength in those branches that remain.
How did the blue oak tree get its name?
The name Blue Oak derives from the dark blue-green tint of its leaves, which are deciduous, 1.5-4 inches long, and entire or shallowly lobed. The blue color can be subtle but becomes much more evident when viewed next to one of the live oaks with whom it shares its range, which tend to have much greener leaves.
How tall does a blue oak tree grow?
The blue oak is a short tree with an open canopy. The canopy is typically rounded with many crooked branches. The tree grows to average heights of 30 feet. In deep, moist soil it can grow up to 60 feet. It is a winter deciduous tree, but will sometimes shed its leaves during severely hot and dry years and go dormant.
What kind of habitat does a blue oak live in?
The Scottish biologist David Douglas first named the blue oak in 1831 for the bluish color of its leaves. The habitat of blue oaks is open savanna to open woodlands with shrubby understories. At lower elevation it merges with annual grasslands, and at higher elevations it blends with chaparral, pinyon and juniper woodlands.
What kind of bark does a white oak tree have?
White oaks have gray-colored bark and leaves with rounded lobes without bristles. Red oaks have darker-colored bark and leaves with pointed lobes and bristles. Red oak trees generally have lobed leaves with pointed tips and tiny bristles at the lobed tips.