Quercus agrifolia
California live oak
An evergreen, small tree eventually reaching up to 12m high with a broadly rounded crown of spreading branches and a stout trunk of smooth black bark that becomes rougher with age. Rigid, dark green, shiny leaves are oval to rounded, up to 5cm long with spine-tipped teeth and short stalks. Cone-shaped acorns to 2.5cm long ripen in the first year
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Brown | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Genus
Quercus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with entire, lobed or toothed leaves; flowers inconspicuous, followed by characteristic acorns; sometimes good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mexico and USA (California)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. See tree cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by grafting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to oak processionary moth, aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and oak gall wasps
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and honey fungus
Get involved
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