Coast live oak
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Description
An evergreen oak, Quercus agrifolia native to the Pacific coastal regions of North America from California to the Baja peninsula. The coast live oak has light brown wood that is strong and hard. Its wood was once highly valued by shipbuilders. Now it is mainly grown as a shade tree.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Quercus agrifoia (California live oak)
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Large tree growing to 30 m with large spreading branches.
- Bark=gray brown, ridges develop with age.
- Leaves=evergreen, shiny on top surface, elliptical with spiny margins
- Fruit = long narrow acorn with scaly cap maturing in one year.
Resources and Citations
- Virginia Tech Dendrology website at www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm (accessed Oct. 8, 2005)
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_live_oak (Accessed Oct. 8, 2005)