Tree Plaques In The Park
Key Identifying Characteristics
Evergreen oak with dark green leaves and arching branches. The only native oak that thrives in our coastal environment.
Height / Size
Height to 40 feet, or more, with crowns up to 130 feet across.
Leaves or Needles
Leathery, dark green leaves have spiny toothed margins that often curl under.
Bark / Trunk
Short, silver-gray trunk from 1 to 4 feet in diameter, with arching, often gnarled branches.
Flower
Separate male and female flowers appear in February and March on the same plant (monoeious). Male flowers are pale green. Female flowers are small forming at the base of new leaves.
Fruit / Seed / Cone
Acorns are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long with light brown caps, slender and pointy. Mature in the first year.
Habitat
Found in California in coastal valleys and on slopes up to 3000 feet.
Location / Range
Coast live oaks can be found on all trails in the park and around the parking areas. Commonly found near the coast from Mendocino county to Baja California.
Lifespan
Long lived trees, often more than 250 years.
Native / Non-Native
Native
Fascinating / Fun Facts
The acorns of the Coast live oak attract a wide variety of birds and butterflies – over 270 species rely on these trees for habitat and food. Early explorers to California called this the ‘holly leafed oak’ because of its shiny sharp-toothed leaves.