Notes

California Oak Tree Identification

February 7, 2026

Location Leaf Trunk & bark Size Other characteristics Species
Coastal 1‑2.5 in long, thick leathery, spiny margins; glossy green above, faint hair line in vein axils below Trunk grows to 3 ft thick; bark smooth gray‑brown when young, darker gray with broad ridges Up to 100 ft tall Evergreen, dense rounded crown Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
Coastal 2‑6 in long, 3‑7 deep lobes, finely haired underside Trunk 3 ft thick (up to 5 ft), bark gray and fissured Up to 100 ft tall Deciduous, alligator‑like bark; acorns mature in one year Oregon White Oak Oak (Quercus garryana)
Inland 5‑10 cm (2‑4 in) long, round deeply lobed; matte green top, pale green underside, soft fuzz Bark alligator‑hide ridged; trunk up to 10 ft diameter Up to 98 ft tall, trunk up to 10 ft diameter Deciduous; acorns 2‑3 cm; masting Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)
Inland 4‑8 in long, 6 lobes, bristle‑tipped Bark dark with small plates; grey bark 30‑80 ft tall, trunk 2 ft diameter Acorns 2‑3 in, mature second season Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii)
Inland Thick leathery, 1‑3.5 in long, margins spinose or entire, fuzzy then smooth Bark thin ~1 in, smooth, gray‑brown, may develop small tight scales Up to 80 ft tall, 2 ft diameter Acorns 1/2‑1.5 in long, two seasons to mature; twig slender; crown may be dense shrub or tree Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis)
Inland 1.5‑2 in long, entire or sharply pointed teeth; flat shiny green above, yellow‑green below Young bark smooth gray; older rough irregularly furrowed with scaly ridges; short trunk, broad crown 30‑75 ft tall, spread 30‑80 ft Acorns 1‑1.5 in, mature two seasons; male catkins 2‑3 in Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni)
Inland 1‑3 in long, wavy margins, bluish‑green upper, pale lower Bark light gray checkered ≤60 ft tall, 2 ft diameter Acorns 0.75‑1.5 in, single season Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)
Inland 1.5‑3 in long, leathery, entire or few sharp teeth; dull blue‑gray above, greener below, somewhat fuzzy Bark gray with narrow scaly ridges, shallow furrows Up to 50 ft tall, short crooked trunk, large twisted limbs, sparse crown Acorns 1 in long with thick warty cap, mature one season Engelmann Oak (Quercus engelmannii)