Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
- Native to:
- United States
Eugene Zelenko
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus lobata
- USDA Symbol:
- QULO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,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, Cameraria mendocinensis, Cameraria pentekes, Chionodes chrysopyla, Chionodes formosella, Chionodes occidentella, Chionodes petalumensis, Chionodes raspyon, Chionodes sp., Chionodes trichostola, Coleophora querciella, Decodes basiplagana, Decodes fragariana, Dorithia semicirculana, Dorithia trigonana, Dyseriocrania auricyanea, Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Epinotia emarginana, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Henricus sp., Io moth (Automeris io), Nemoria glaucomarginaria, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Rectiostoma fernaldella, Recurvaria glinax, Telphusa sedulitella, Tischeria consanguinea, Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Xenolechia staspa, California hairstreak (Satyrium californicum), Gold-hunter's hairstreak (Satyrium auretorum), Mournful Duskywing (Erynnis tristis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) Moths:Orgyia Ochsenheimer, Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Phyllonorycter Hübner, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer, insects
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Mature trees have thick, fire-resistant bark and resprout vigorously from the root crown after fire. Historically adapted to California's fire regime.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- deep, well-drained, fertile loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers valley floors and alluvial plains
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Acorns germinate readily after cold stratification; best sown fresh in fall. Radicle emerges before shoot.
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 90 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI