California Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Source: Wikimedia; Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus kelloggii
- USDA Symbol:
- QUKE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
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
California oakworm (Phryganidia californica), Caloptilia sp., Cameraria lobatiella, Cameraria mediodorsella, Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Chionodes chrysopyla, Chionodes occidentella, Chionodes raspyon, Chionodes sp., Chionodes trichostola, Cosmia calami, Decodes fragariana, Epinotia emarginana, Eriocraniella aurosparsella, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), George's pinion (Lithophane georgii), habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Io moth (Automeris io), Orgyia cana (Orgyia cana), Oslar's oakworm moth (Anisota oslari), Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Phyllonorycter basistrigella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Stigmella variella, Telphusa sedulitella, Tischeria mediostriata, Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta), White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa), Xenolechia querciphaga
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, squirrels, deer, black bears, woodpeckers, jays
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted; thick bark protects mature trees, and resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Historically maintained by frequent low-intensity fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in mountainous regions with poor soil fertility.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Acorns have no deep dormancy and can germinate in fall if moisture is adequate. Cold stratification improves uniformity.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked overnight in fresh water, rinsed in a 5% bleach solution for 1 minute, then placed in a plastic freezer bag with an equal amount of perlite and stored in a refrigerator at 15C. If seeds are dry, they are placed into cold running water for 48 hours prior to stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are collected fresh in the fall and stored in cold conditions until stratification. The plumule and leaves do not emerge for 1 to 2 months after sowing. There are some variations in the protocols, particularly in the pre-treatment and establishment phases.
Source: npn.rngr.net