Oak sapling acorn drawing1/23/2024 ![]() Valley oak is found in dense riparian forests, open foothill woodlands and valley savannas. It is most abundant in rich deep soils of valley floors below 600 meters in elevation but can also be found at elevations up to 5,600 ft. Valley oak tolerates cool wet winters and hot dry summers, but requires abundant water. Although smaller individuals may be top-killed, most resprout from the root crown. Like many oaks, Valley Oaks can tolerate wild fires. A variety of mammals and birds eat them, including the Acorn Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, and California ground squirrel. Over most of the range, acorns fall in October. The wood is a dull brown approaching yellow. When a fresh leaf is rubbed or broken, an aromatic scent is exuded, evoking a forest odor. Each leaf is matte green with an underneath pale green appearance moreover, the leaf is covered with abundant soft fuzz, yielding an almost velvety feeling. The leaf width is approximately one half its length. Typically, leaves are five to ten centimeters in length and are roundly and deeply lobed. Its pewter-colored rippled bark adds to the attractive aesthetic of this species. In advancing age the branches assume a drooping characteristic. During Autumn leaves turn a yellow to light orange color but become brown during mid to late fall. The branches have an irregular, spreading and arching appearance that produce a profound leafless silhouette in the clear winter sky. The sturdy trunk of the Valley oak may exceed two to three meters in diameter and its stature may approach 100 feet in height. Its thick, ridged bark is characteristic and evokes alligator hide. Mature specimens may attain an age of up to 600 years. Valley Oaks grow quickly, reaching 20 feet in 5 years, and 40 feet in 10 years, and up to 60 feet in 20 years. It ranges over the hot interior valleys of California where there is a water table within reach of the roots. The Valley Oak grows into the largest of North American oaks. About Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) 66 Nurseries Carry This Plant ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |