Alvord Oak
Quercus ×alvordiana
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus ×alvordiana
- USDA Symbol:
- QUAL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris hastiana, Acrobasis comptella, Andromache Underwing (Catocala andromache), California oakworm (Phryganidia californica), Caloptilia sp., Cameraria jacintoensis, Cameraria serpentinensis, Cameraria temblorensis, Chionodes chrysopyla, Chionodes trichostola, Coleophora querciella, Decodes fragariana, Dyseriocrania auricyanea, Epinotia emarginana, Exoteleia graphicella, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Gloveria medusa, habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Henricus sp., Mesogona subcuprea, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Rectiostoma fernaldella, Recurvaria sp., Rhodophaea cruza, Slossonia rubrotincta, Telphusa sedulitella, Tischeria consanguinea, Trachycera caliginella, Xenolechia querciphaga, Xenolechia staspa, Gold-hunter's hairstreak (Satyrium auretorum)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire, typical of California scrub oaks.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid regions, prefers dry conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Acorns should be planted fresh in fall or cold-stratified; they lose viability quickly if dried.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI