# canyon live oak (*Quercus chrysolepis*) The canyon live oak is a strong tree that grows in canyons and mountains. Its leaves are shiny and can stay green all year round, making it a special tree in its home. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![canyon live oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quercus_chrysolepis_acorns.jpg&width=800) Photo: Doug Beckers on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_chrysolepis_acorns.jpg) ## Appearance The canyon live oak is an evergreen tree with dense, spiny-toothed, dark green leaves that are often golden-yellow underneath. Its bark is rough, deeply furrowed, and dark gray, and it produces acorns held in distinctive fuzzy, scaly caps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Its extremely tough wood was once used to make strong wagon wheels and sturdy tools! - Native Americans would carefully prepare its acorns to make a nutritious, delicious flour. - The word "chrysolepis" in its name means "golden scales" because of its fuzzy acorn cups. - This amazing tree can grow on steep, rocky canyon walls where other trees cannot survive! ## Special abilities - **Deep Root Power:** Canyon live oak has deep roots that help it find water in dry, rocky soils, allowing it to survive long droughts. - **Fire Shield:** Its thick, protective bark helps it resist wildfires and can allow it to resprout from its base after damage. - **Year-Round Energy:** This tree keeps its green leaves all year long, which helps it photosynthesize and make energy even in winter. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 600-3000 cm - **Spread:** 600-2500 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 its acorns - **Eats:** [California Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-scrub-jay) (*Aphelocoma californica*) — buries its acorns for later - **Eats:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — browses on its leaves and twigs - **Depends on:** [Acorn Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/acorn-woodpecker) (*Melanerpes formicivorus*) — stores thousands of its acorns in granary trees ## Traits - [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. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [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. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful not to climb too high in trees and watch out for falling branches. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify canyon live 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 canyon live oak? 600-3000 cm ### How wide does canyon live oak spread? 600-2500 cm ### When does canyon live oak bloom? Spring ### Is canyon live oak edible? Yes ### Is canyon live oak toxic? Mild ### What is canyon live oak's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is canyon live oak pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-tahoe-basin-management-unit) — Nevada, US · Forest - [Atwell Mill Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atwell-mill-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Bagby Stationhouse, Water Tanks and Turntable](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bagby-stationhouse-water-tanks-and-turntable) — California, US · Historic District - [Crystal Lake Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-lake-recreation-area) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dunsmuir-botanical-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Mountain Home Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mountain-home-grove) — California, US · Forest [View all places to see canyon live oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/canyon-live-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: [Canyon Live Oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canyon-live-oak)