Quercus agrifolia, California oak
Scientific name: Quercus agrifolia
Common Names: Coast Live Oak, California oak
Tongva - weht
Kumeyaay - esnyaaw
Cahuilla - wi'asily
A slow growing tree that grows up to 80 feet tall and 35 feet wide. This plant produces a pollen that can produce an allergic reaction.
Prune in the summer, mid July to September. Young trees require pruning to establish a good branching system. Mature trees do not need to be pruned often, about every 5-10 years you should prune the dead small branches. Do not prune in the winter or spring.
These oaks prefer to have their roots shaded, plant with: (Baccharis pilularis), buckwheat(Eriogonum fasciculatum), Artemisia californica, toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) or coffeeberry (Frangula californica), Coast Live Oak, including Coyote Brush; California Buckwheat; Coast Sagebrush; Toyon; California Coffeeberry; Woolly Bluecurls; Snapdragon Penstemon; Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry; California WildRose; Manzanita sp.; Ceanothus sp.; Salvia sp. and annual wildflowers including Poppy sp. and Chinese Houses; in riparian areas in Encinitas: Salix lasiolepis
An easy California Native to grow in the Los Angeles area. For more recommendations visit our Easiest California Native Plants to grow in your garden guide.
Care:
- Plant in full sun to part shade
- Best in well draining heavy clay soil
- Water once a week for the first year and then water once a month, once tree reaches ten feet tall do not water in summer
- Hardy up to 15 degrees
- Attracts birds and butterflies
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant once established
- Fire resistant
- Great for erosion control and bank stabilization
-Native to California