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:
- Medium
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- 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
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides some fire resistance; resprouts from root crown after low to moderate severity fire.
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 — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 30-60 days; sow in fall or after stratification in spring.
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