Blue Oak Tree | California Native Drought Tolerant Tree

Blue Oak

15 Gallon·Natural

$179.90

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Blue Oak

Quercus Douglasii

Iconic Blue-Gray Foliage • Extreme Drought Tolerance • Sculptural Foothill Native

$179.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Blue Oak is a iconic, drought-hardy deciduous oak of California's hot, dry interior foothills. It is characterized by its beautiful blue-gray foliage, rugged, picturesque form, and extreme drought tolerance. This slow-growing tree is perfectly adapted to thrive with no summer wateronce established, making it a quintessential choice for authentic, water-wise native landscapes.

Recognizable by its bluish-green to gray deciduous leaves, which provide a soft, cool color in the landscape before turning yellow-brown in fall.
Exhibits exceptional drought tolerance; mature trees in their native habitat survive on winter rainfall alone and are harmed by summer irrigation.
Develops a unique, gnarled, and spreading form that is highly sculptural, especially in winter when bare.
A perfect, low-maintenance tree for re-creating a California foothill woodland in hot, dry inland areas. Plant it and let nature take its course.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Long-oval, leathery, thick leaves with wavy, shallow-lobed margins. The foliage is a distinctive bluish-gray to gray-green, turning yellow-orange in fall before dropping.Flowers: Inconspicuous; male flowers are greenish catkins, female flowers are reddish, appearing in spring.Fruit: Produces typical brown acorns.Bark & Habit: A deciduous tree with a broad, spreading, often irregular crown and picturesque, twisted, arching branches. The bark is light gray and becomes checkered with age.
Mature Height: 15-60 ft.
Mature Width: 15-60 ft.
Growth Rate: Slow
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Extremely drought tolerant, adapted to hot, dry summers.Picturesque, sculptural form with age.Important habitat tree for California wildlife.Beautiful blue-gray foliage color.Very low maintenance once established
Landscape Uses:Specimen tree in water-wise landscapes.Native and wildlife gardens.Large properties and open spaces.Parks and naturalized areas

Q: How much should I water it?
A: The key is deep watering during establishment (first 3-5 years) to grow a deep taproot, then taper off completely. A mature Blue Oak in well-drained soil should receive no supplemental summer water. Overwatering is a leading cause of death.

Q: Why is it so slow-growing?
A: Its slow growth is an adaptation to arid conditions. It invests energy in developing a massive, deep root system to access groundwater, which ensures its long-term survival during drought. Above-ground growth is secondary.