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Blue Oak Characteristics



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Line Drawing of Blue Oak
Blue Oak
Scientific name
Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arn.


Common names
Blue, white, mountain, rock, iron, post, jack, Douglas


Height
Usually 20-60 ft.; tallest over 90 ft.


Mature Tree DBH (Diam. at Breast Ht.)
Less than 1 ft., up to 2 ft.; largest over 6 ft.


Longevity
Long-lived, 175-450 yrs.


Sprouting
Variable sprouter; not vigorous on dry sites


Acorn
Matures first year; variable in shape; warty scales; Cup very shallow

Acorn of Blue Oak Acorn of Blue Oak

Foliage
Deciduous; blue-gray color; smooth or slightly to deeply lobed edges; 1-3 in. long and 1/2-2 in. wide

Foliage of Blue Oak Foliage of Blue Oak

Shade Tolerance
Seedlings not tolerant


Fire Tolerance
Tolerates grass fires; not hot brush fires



Elevation
500-2000 ft. in north; up to 5000 ft. in south


Associates
Grades into open valley oak stands at low elevations; blends into denser live oak stands at higher elev.; foothill pine common


Sites
Hot, dry sites with rocky soils, 12-40 in. deep; can't compete with live oak on better sites


Identification Notes
Confused with valley oaks when leaves are dusty



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