# leather oak (*Quercus durata*) The leather oak is a strong tree with thick, leathery leaves. It grows in warm, dry places and provides shade and homes for many animals. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![leather oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quercusduratadurata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Miguel Vieira, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercusduratadurata.jpg) ## Appearance The leather oak is a small tree or large shrub with distinctively leathery, dark green leaves that are often smooth and stiff to the touch. Its bark is generally grayish and fissured, while its small acorns are partially enclosed by a fuzzy, scaled cap. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name, 'durata', means 'enduring' because of its tough leaves! - Some leather oaks can live for hundreds of years, watching history unfold! - The fuzzy caps on its acorns are like tiny hats for protection! - This oak often grows like a big bush, not a tall tree! ## Special abilities - **Nutty Treasure Chest:** Its acorns are a vital food source for wildlife, ensuring the spread of its seeds to new locations. - **Fire Fighter Bark:** Thick, furrowed bark protects the leather oak's inner tissues, helping it survive some wildfires. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-500 cm - **Spread:** 100-400 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Early Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — acorns provide crucial winter energy - **Eats:** [California Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-scrub-jay) (*Aphelocoma californica*) — disperse seeds by burying them - **Eats:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — deer browse its leaves and acorns - **Parasitizes:** Oak Gall Wasp (*Callirhytis quercusduratae*) — forms distinctive galls on leaves ## 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. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [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. - [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 near trees to avoid tripping. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify leather 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 leather oak? 100-500 cm ### How wide does leather oak spread? 100-400 cm ### How big are the flowers on leather oak? 1-3 cm ### When does leather oak bloom? Early Spring ### Is leather oak edible? No ### Is leather oak toxic? Mild ### What is leather oak's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park ## 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: [Leather Oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leather-oak)