Plant Database
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
The Valley Oak is the monarch of California's native deciduous oaks, a massive, awe-inspiring tree with a distinctive, sprawling canopy of gracefully drooping branches. Its deeply lobed leaves turn golden brown in fall. It is a legacy tree for large properties, requiring vast space and a commitment to its deep water needs during establishment, after which it becomes drought-tolerant.
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The largest North American oak species, forming a majestic, broad, and open canopy with characteristic weeping branch tips.
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A California native that provides immense ecological value, supporting hundreds of species of wildlife, insects, and birds.
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Drought-tolerant once mature, but its extensive root system requires deep, infrequent watering for the first decade or more to establish properly, especially in drier locations.
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Requires a very large, open space (both above and below ground) to reach its full, breathtaking potential. Not for small lots.