Island Live Oak
Quercus tomentella
- Native to:
- Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States
John Rusk (www.flickr.com) from Berkeley, CA, United States of America
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus tomentella
- USDA Symbol:
- QUTO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 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
Acrocercops sp., Evippe sp.
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire. Thick bark provides some protection on mature trees.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy loam soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Channel Islands with specific soil conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Acorns lose viability quickly if dried; best sown fresh in fall or after cold-moist stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Moist acorns are placed in ziplock bags and refrigerated at 40 F for a 90 day cold, moist stratification.
Establishment: Island oak is endemic to the Channel islands off the coast of California. It is infrequent on Catalina Island. It inhabits deep, moist canyons on the southeastern portion of the island.
Source: npn.rngr.net