Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Fagaceae
Botanical Name
Quercus chrysolepis
Plant Common Name
Canyon Live Oak, Golden-cup Oak, Maul Oak
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The rounded but mildly spreading canopy of the canyon oak has handsome evergreen, dense, holly-like foliage. It naturally grows from southern Oregon to Arizona and Baja California in western North America. Its bark is smooth and white when young but becomes reddish gray and white, corky and furrowed with age. Variable in form, it can be a large tree or dense large shrub.
The leathery oval green leaves may or may not have small spines, resembling holly foliage. They are evergreen and have light blue-gray undersides. As the new leaves open with silver or gold hairs, the male flowers appear. These greenish pendent catkins spread copious amount of pollen and are directly followed by the female flowers, which are tiny, red and found at the base of the young leaves. The large fruits (acorns) are sharply pointed and oblong that have golden fuzzy caps. They take two years to fully mature and drop, leaving the caps attached to the twigs.
Plant canyon oak in average, deep, well-drained soil that is acidic to lightly alkaline. Widely adaptable to dry to moist soils and textures, it is very versatile. It is often mistaken as being a California live oak as they are both evergreen; many regard canyon oak to be more beautiful as a shade or specimen tree. Sadly, this species is susceptible to the sudden oak death, so keep an eye out for symptoms like bleeding cankers on the trunk and branch dieback.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
20'-60' / 6.1m - 18.3m
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Width
20'-55' / 6.1m - 16.8m
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Western United States, Northwestern United States, Southwestern United States, California, Mexico
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Red, Yellow Green
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Fruit Color
Tan, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green, Silver
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Blue Green, Gray Green
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Bark Color
White, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
Yes
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Corky
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Usage
Feature Plant, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
