California Scrub Oak
A tough and common California scrub oak growing throughout most of the western half of the state. This is a very valuable wildlife plant, providing habitat and an abundance of acorns in fall. Easy to grow if given good drainage, it will easily thrive with no summer water once established. Grows typically to about 6 feet tall but can get larger in especially fertile soils.
Latin Name: Quercus berberidifolia
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to at least 0F
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 3-15 ft. in height
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: October
Yield: 50+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Oaks are susceptible to Sudden Oak Death, a fungal disease that can kill entire stands of oaks, though we’ve not seen it yet in our area
USDA Zone: 7