Quercus lobata, Valley Oak

Valley Oak

A California Native that is the largest North American Oak, reaching up to 100 feet tall.  It can reach up to 60 feet in 20 years.  The leaves will turn from green to yellow to brown in the fall.  Then it goes deciduous in the winter.  Acorns drop in fall, Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Scrub Jay, and the California squirrel consume the acorns.  The matte green leaves are fuzzy and pale green on underneath.  Valley oaks can tolerate wild fires.

This tree should be pruned in the winter when it is dormant.  You should head back and remove all but one leader if young trees have multiple leaders.  Fallen leaves can be used for mulch.

- Full sun

- Attracts birds and butterflies

- Native to California