Oregon oak

Quercus garryana

The Oregon oak is a strong tree that can grow very tall and wide. It has beautiful leaves that change colors in the fall, making it a lovely sight in nature.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Oregon oak is a stately, deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown. It has distinctive dark green leaves with deep, rounded lobes and thick, gray-brown, furrowed bark, making it stand out in western landscapes.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyFagaceaeGenusQuercus

Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, CanadaCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Oregon oak

Interesting facts

Its tough, furrowed bark protects it like armor from wildfires.

Native peoples traditionally prepared and ate their acorns as a staple food!

One tree can drop thousands of acorns, feeding many hungry animals!

Sometimes, a single Oregon oak can live longer than 500 years!

Special abilities

Oregon oak has deep roots that help it find water in dry summers, making it very drought-resistant.

Oregon oak has thick, fire-resistant bark that helps protect its trunk from many wildfires.

Oregon oak can produce abundant acorns, providing vital food for forest animals and new trees.

Measurements & details

Height: 500-3000 cm
Spread: 500-1500 cm
Flower Size: 1-5 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

Eats

Western Gray Squirrel

Sciurus griseus

hoards and buries many acorns.

Eats

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

disperses acorns, helping new oaks grow.

Shelter

White-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis

builds nests in tree cavities.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

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

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Keystone Species

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Stay clear of falling branches and always ask an adult before climbing trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Oregon 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 Oregon oak?

500-3000 cm

How wide does Oregon oak spread?

500-1500 cm

How big are the flowers on Oregon oak?

1-5 cm

When does Oregon oak bloom?

Spring

Is Oregon oak edible?

Is Oregon oak toxic?

Mild

What is Oregon oak's lifecycle?