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Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)

California Live Oak, Coast Live Oak, Encino Verde

Quercus agrifolia, California Live Oak, Coast Live Oak, Encino Verde
Quercus agrifolia, California Live Oak, Coast Live Oak, Encino Verde

A beautiful California native, Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) is a large evergreen tree adorned with a short, stout trunk and a dense, broadly rounded crown. Its crooked, spreading branches are clothed with leathery, oval, convex, holly-like, dark green leaves, 1-3 in. long (2-7 cm). Most of its old leaves drop in early spring. Flowers are produced in spring: the male flowers are pendulous catkins, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), while the female flowers are quite inconspicuous. The fruit is a narrowly egg-shaped, brown acorn which matures about 7-8 months after pollination. The acorns are a valuable source of food for small mammals and birds. With age, the smooth dark gray bark of the contorted, massive and gnarled trunk becomes thick and deeply furrowed. A magnificent and picturesque tree for large areas, bank stabilization or sheared to form an evergreen hedge.

  • Grows up to 20-50 ft. tall and wide (6-15 m). Old trees can reach 100 ft. (30 m).
  • A full sun to partial shade lover, this tree tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but prefers a deep, well draining loam which it usually develops over time from leaf drop. Water once per week the first year, decreasing to about once per month after the first year, until the tree is about 10 feet tall (3 m). Avoid direct summer water thereafter. Do not fertilize.
  • Coast Live Oaks prefer to have their roots shaded. Surround young specimens with mulch (a thick layer of oak leaves), rocks, or smaller native plants that will provide shade to the roots.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, banks and slopes (erosion control) or as an evergreen hedge.
  • Susceptible to several pests and diseases including Gold Spotted Oak Borer and Sudden Oak Death.
  • Toxic to horses.
  • Native mostly to the coast side of California’s Coast Range, and along streams draining into the Central Valley, ranges from the Mendocino County in the north to Mexico’s Baja California.

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 9 - 11
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Quercus
Common names Coast Live Oak, California Live Oak, Oak
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 20' - 50'
(6.1m - 15.2m)
Spread 20' - 50'
(6.1m - 15.2m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Quercus douglasii (Blue Oak)
Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon Live Oak)
Quercus myrtifolia (Myrtle Oak)
Quercus velutina (Black Oak)
Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak)
Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)

Recommended Companion Plants

Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Ceanothus (California Lilac)
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Green Canopy, Better World: Exploring the Benefits of Trees
Trees that Invite Wildlife to Your Garden
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
Quercus (Oak) – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Grow Your Own Oak Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Acorns
8 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Plant an Oak Tree
Native Oak Trees: A Must-Have for Your Landscape
Native Plant Alternatives to Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 9 - 11
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Quercus
Common names Coast Live Oak, California Live Oak, Oak
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 20' - 50'
(6.1m - 15.2m)
Spread 20' - 50'
(6.1m - 15.2m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Quercus (Oak)
Not sure which Quercus (Oak) to pick?
Compare Now

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