Quercus lobata, Valley Oak (24)

Unlike the Coast Live Oak, the Valley Oak prefers the more stable conditions found inland of the coast (Stuart and Sawyer, 2001). In fact, it is usually found at least one ore two ridge lines inland from the maximum line of fog penetration. It prefers moisture and nutrient rich soils that cannot be found in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada or on the cliffs of the Pacific coast. As a result, it is usually concentrated in the valleys and at lower elevations.

The Valley Oak has craggy branches and blocky, fractures grey to brown bark. It can grow to 100 feet tall in optimal conditions. Its leaves are 2 inches to 4 inches long and up to 2 inches wide and are deeply lobed. They are light, matte green above and pale below, with small, soft hairs. The acorns of the Valley Oak are conical and are held in knobby caps.

The Valley Oak was extensively cleared for agriculture by European settlers and those less fortunate in the Gold Rush (Pavlik et al, 1991). Previously, it was an important food source for Native Californians, along with the other species of oaks. The Native Californian practice of seasonal burning was an important part of the Valley Oaks life cycle, since it cleared the underbrush and encouraged reproduction (Pavlik et al, 1991).

Today, the Valley Oaks that remain suffer from lowering water tables (Pavlik et al, 1991). The Valley Oak has the ability to tap ground water with its roots. However, intensive pumping of ground water resources has made ground water increasingly hard to reach.