# California black oak (*Quercus kelloggii*) The California black oak is a tall tree with beautiful leaves that turn bright colors in the fall. It provides shade and homes for many animals in the forest. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Forests ![California black oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quercus_kelloggii_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patrick Cox, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_kelloggii_2.jpg) ## Appearance The California black oak has large, dark green, deeply lobed leaves that turn brilliant golden-orange or red in fall. Its bark is dark gray to black, thick, and furrowed, distinguishing it from smoother-barked oaks. This stately tree produces distinctive large acorns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Its acorns were a major food source for many California Native American tribes for thousands of years! - Some California black oaks can live for over 500 years, standing tall for centuries! - The largest California black oak on record is over 100 feet tall, as high as a ten-story building! - Unlike many plants, it makes both male and female flowers on the same tree, but they look very different! ## Special abilities - **Fire Resilience:** California black oak has thick, furrowed bark that protects its inner tissues, helping it survive and regrow after mild to moderate wildfires. - **Acorn Powerhouse:** This oak produces abundant large acorns, providing vital food for many wildlife species and aiding in its widespread reproduction. - **Drought Stamina:** The California black oak has deep root systems, allowing it to access groundwater and endure long dry periods in its native habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1000-3600 cm - **Spread:** 800-2500 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — Eats acorns, helping spread seeds. - **Eats:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — Buried acorns by jays often grow into new trees. - **Eats:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on young leaves and twigs. - **Eats:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — Feasts on ripe acorns as an important food. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay on paths when exploring forests and watch for falling branches. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California black oak? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is California black oak? 1000-3600 cm ### How wide does California black oak spread? 800-2500 cm ### When does California black oak bloom? Spring ### Is California black oak edible? Yes ### Is California black oak toxic? Mild ### What is California black oak's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is California black oak pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Sonoma Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sonoma-plaza) — California, US · Park - [Atwell Mill Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atwell-mill-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Black Mountain Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mountain-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Empire Mine State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/empire-mine-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park [View all places to see California black oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-black-oak) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [California black oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-black-oak)