Macdonald Oak
Quercus × macdonaldii
- Native to:
- United States
Tentaculata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus × macdonaldii
- USDA Symbol:
- QUMA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
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
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire; adapted to California's fire regime.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to mixed woodland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 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