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"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)
Location: Hills on the Coast of CA
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
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?