California Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii
California black oak's deeply lobed leaves end in sharp, bristle-tipped points — a telltale sign of the red oak group, distinct from the rounded lobes of Oregon white oak. Its acorns were once a dietary staple, ground into meal by many tribes of the region.
Where found
Dry mixed-conifer and oak woodlands of southern Oregon and the Klamath-Siskiyou region.
Fun facts
- Bristle-tipped lobes place it in the red oak group, unlike Oregon white oak's rounded lobes.
- Acorns were leached of bitter tannins and ground into meal, a staple food for many Indigenous peoples of the region.
- Fall color turns a deep gold-brown before leaves drop.
Specs
| Height | 10–25 m |
|---|---|
| Spread | 10–15 m |
| Lifespan | 150–500 yrs |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Native Range | Southern Oregon to Baja California, mostly in the Klamath and Sierra ranges |
