UC Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program

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California
Black Oak Characteristics




back to California’s Oak Rangeland Species
Line Drawing of Leaf and Acorn-California Black Oak

California Black Oak
Scientific name
Quercus kelloggii Newb.



Common names
Black, California black oak



Height
60 to 90 feet


Mature Tree DBH (Diam. at Breast Ht.)
1 to 4 feet


Longevity
100-200 yrs., occasionally up to 500 yrs.


Sprouting
Excellent sprouter

Acorn of California Black Oak
Foliage of California Black Oak


Acorn
Matures second year; 1-1/2 in. long; thin cup over half the nut


Foliage
Deciduous; 5 in. long; 5-7 lobed; spiny leaf tips; dark yellow-green above and pale yellow-green below


Shade Tolerance
Intermediate tolerance as seedling and intolerant as tree matures


Fire Tolerance
Very sensitive to cambium being killed in hot fires



Elevation
200 to 6000 feet


Associates
Most common with tanoak, madrone, mixed conifer forest species;, also with coast live oak, interior live oak, and blue oak


Sites
More common on forest sites; found on moister hardwood rangelands; well-drained soils


General Notes
Protected by Forest Practice Act on timberlands; commercial properties for finished lumber



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