Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia)

Coast live oak

Also known as: Evergreen oak

Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) is an evergreen oak tree that has shrublike qualities. Coast live oak grows throughout the western United States from California to Mexico. It is commonly used in landscaping purposes throughout the modern United States. Historically, Native Americans used the acorns of coast live oak as a dietary supplement.

Scientific classification

Species

Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia)

Beeches, walnuts, and allied trees

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Toxic to Humans

Toxicity

Perennial

Lifespan

Tree

Plant Type

Spring

Bloom Time

Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall

Harvest Time

10 m to 25 m

Plant Height

6 m to 15 m

Spread

Green, Blue

Leaf Color

5 cm to 10 cm

Flower Size

Brown

Fruit Color

Spring, Summer, Fall

Growth Season

Slow

Growth Rate

Images of Coast live oak

Attributes of Coast live oak

Growth Rate

Coast live oak's slow growth rate, manifesting in spring, summer, and fall, results in compact and sturdy structures, with steady leaf production and minimal height increases each season. Seasonal variations might exist, subtly influencing the plant's yearly development. Its growth intricacies deeply root into its resilience in various environments.

Distribution of Coast live oak

Distribution Map

Coast live oak is native to Mexico, North Africa and some European countries, where it can be found growing on coastal hills. In addition to their natural coastal habitat, these trees are also planted in gardens, but they have not been introduced beyond this limited native space.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Valleys, not too dry slopes, coastal sand dunes

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

For gardeners living in Mediterranean climates, coast live oak is often chosen for larger yards and gardens for its interesting evergreen foliage, ease of care, and pleasant scent. Besides being a beautiful specimen by itself, it is often used as a shade tree in parks and gardens, making it a useful canopy for shade turf or shorter, shade-loving plants.

Symbolism

Protection, Health, Money

Name Story

Coast live oak: The name live oak comes from the fact that the evergreen oaks are green and last throughout the winter while the other oaks have become leafless. It is the only California native oak that actually thrives in the coastal environment, so it is called coast live oak.

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Toxicity

The coast live oak tree contains tannins, causing digestive problems if ingested by children, cats, and dogs. Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and cramping, with further risk of choking from acorns. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if pets consume large amounts of leaves or seeds, leading to gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, or diarrhea.

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Quickly Identify Coast live oak

Variable height from 20 to 70 feet (6 to 21 meters).

Bark changes from smooth to deeply furrowed and thick with age.

Broad, dense crown with horizontally growing primary branches.

Irregular crown due to diagonally extending higher branches.

Leaves shed and renewed in late spring, following early spring flowering.

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Care Guide for Coast live oak

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Coast live oak exhibits drought tolerance and thrives in its native habitat. Watering should be moderate, approximately every 2-3 weeks. Being an evergreen species, deep watering practices enhance root development and resilience to changing rainfall patterns.

Fertilize: For coast live oak, use balanced fertilizers in spring and high nitrogen during the growing season. Apply 1-2 times annually, ensuring to water post-fertilization to enhance nutrient absorption. Adjust nutrient levels according to seasonal growth stages for a healthy, thriving coast live oak.

Pruning: Coast live oak thrives with pruning in early to late winter, focusing on dead, diseased, or crossing branches for improved air circulation. Thinning the crown enhances light penetration, promoting growth. Avoid heavy pruning to reduce stress and disease risk; consult horticultural sources for detailed guidelines.

Propagation: Coast live oak can be propagated via cutting and layering, ideally in Spring. Although moderate in difficulty, success is indicated by new roots or shoots. Maintaining appropriate moisture levels is crucial during the propagation process.

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Images of Coast live oak

Attributes of Coast live oak

Distribution of Coast live oak

Culture

Toxicity

Quickly Identify Coast live oak

Care Guide for Coast live oak

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