Tree of the Week

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Good morning. After another week of housing market turmoil, we bring you a brief moment of home-value increasing serenity: Tree of the Week. This week, our tree-loving friend Pieter Severynen celebrates one of Southern California’s true classics.

Coast Live Oak - Quercus agrifolia

‘Oak, sycamore and walnut are some of the most characteristic trees of our vanishing, unique, indigenous Southern California flora. Many cities have adopted special native tree protection ordinances to keep this part of our heritage and ecology alive. The Coast Live Oak is a beautiful, sturdy, strong, centuries long lived, moderately fast growing, evergreen tree that in later life develops massive branches and a deeply fissured, dark bark covered, twisting trunk supporting a round canopy.

‘Ultimate height and width can vary from 25’ to 60+’. The shiny, green, leathery, somewhat holly-like foliage densely covers the whole tree, casting deep shade. In spring the long green flowers are conspicuous only because of their length; the abundant crop of 1+” conical acorns in fall supports abundant wildlife and was used as food by the local Indian population.

‘The tree may drop a lot of old leaves in spring. Being used to our Mediterranean climate it does not like summer watering once established, and can die from lawn watering. It does not appreciate grading within the dripline or competition planting close to the trunk. Other native oaks here include the Engelmann, canyon live, California black, blue, and valley oaks, all of which grow best in their own favorite territory.’

Thanks, Pieter.
Email Pieter: plseve@earthlink.net
Photo Credit: www.urbanforest.org