Species douglasii
Blue Oak
Inception: Early Cretaceous
Bark light gray to white.
Native to the foothills Central Valley of California
Ancient tree specializing in drought and dry climates.
Leaves:
dark blue-green top,yellow-green bottom
7 lobes
A waxy (unpermiating) coating
Thick, tough, dull blue, leaves
If heat is seveir tree will go into early dormancy in the summer. Leaves are dropped early.
Male flowers are yellow-green catkins. Female flowers are small.
Flowers are unisexual and wind pollinated
30 ft high
Very slow growers. to 500 years old. Emphasis on quick, extensive roots.
Roots to 80ft down.
Winter deciduous tree
Hybridizes with
Shrub Live Oak (Species Quercus. turbinella),
Valley Oak (Species Q. lobata)
Oregon White Oak (Species Q. garryana)