"DON'T BE A SAP, KNOW YOUR OAKS”CALIFORNIA NATIVE OAK TREE IDENTIFICATION

KYLIN COSTA

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:

G1.1 (Understand how to classify and identify plants by order, family, genus, and species)

G1.3 (Understand how common plant parts are used to classify the plants)

BACKGROUND

• The Oak Tree is the National Tree of the US

• CA has over 20 native species of Oak trees

• Oak trees, especially the Coast Live Oak, provided a source of food and shelter for Native Californians

• Many counties (including Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) currently have Oak Tree Conservation Laws

• Oak Trees can be deciduous or evergreen

FIRST THINGS FIRST: PARTS OF AN OAK TREE

CROWN: Contains leaves which allow trees to perform

photosynthesis

Produces “fruit” in the spring, known as ACORNS

Home to many species of birds

TRUNK: Helps transport water up into the leaves, and sends

nutrients out

Connects the crown to the roots

ROOTS: Absorbs water from the soil up into the tree

Oaks can absorb up to FIFTY GALLONS of water per day

LOOK AT THOSE LEAVES!

FIRST, what season is it?

What COLOR are the leaves?

Then, observe the LOBE: Are the edges round?

Are they pointed?

How MANY lobes are there?

Let’s TRY IT!

COAST LIVE OAK (QUERCUS AGRIFOLIA)

CHARACTERISTICS:

•EVERGREEN

•GROW TO BE 25 METERS TALL

•CAN LIVE TO BE OVER 250 YEARS OLD

•LEAVES ARE POINTY AND CURVED

•SMALL ACORNS WITH SCALY CAPS

Location: Hills on the Coast of CA

VALLEY OAK (QUERCUS LOBATA)

CHARACTERISTICS:• Winter-deciduous• Leaves have rounded lobes and

deep “valleys”• Tallest CA Oak Tree

• Can grow to be 36 meters• Bark on trees reflects that of

“alligator skin”• Acorn is LARGE in size

BLUE OAK (QUERCUS DOUGLASII)

LOCATION:

CHARACTERISTICS:

Deciduous

Also known as the “Iron Oak”

Medium Sized Tree

Soft, rounded leaves

Bark can appear to be a blue/white

INLAND LIVE OAK (QUERCUS WISLESENI)

LOCATION: NATIVE TO BAJA CA and INNER COASTAL RANGES

CHARACTERISTICS: Evergreen

Grows to be around 22 Meters

Almost “black” bark

Medium sized acorns

Often found near Blue Oak

WHY ARE OAK TREES IMPORTANT?

• Oaks are an excellent method of erosion control

• They provide shade and shelter to many pasturelands and ranches across CA

• Wood is used for famous “Oak BBQ”

• Over 300 species of wild animals call oaks “home”

APPLY IT!

What is your plan for making sure that Oak Trees remain a significant part of

California’s landscape?