Quercus lobata

Common Names

Valley Oak, California White Oak, Roble, White Oak, Water Oak, Swamp Oak, Valley Oaks

Summary

Valley Oak is a California-endemic large deciduous tree with a broad spreading crown and thick ridged bark, typically 30–90 ft tall and wide, featuring oblong to obovate leaves 5–10 cm long with 9–11 deep lobes that are green above with a pale velvety underside; autumn foliage turns yellow to light orange and acorns are 2–3 cm long with thick cups, while it is fire-tolerant and can resprout from the root crown after top-kill, commonly dominating valley oak woodlands and low-elevation riparian forests on deep, rich soils with groundwater access.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun and deep, rich soils, tolerating loam to heavy clay, and is groundwater-dependent, benefiting from a reliable water source; it is drought-tolerant once established, provides a large shade canopy, and is used in landscape plantings as a shade tree or in bird- and wildlife-friendly schemes; acorns are edible and historically roasted and ground by Native Americans, though it is not ideal for typical residential gardens and requires careful irrigation/root-zone management when planted near structures.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

30-100 ft

Spread

30-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Loamy, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Golden-yellow to bright orange, Yellow to light orange that becomes brown in mid- to late fall.

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fastest-growing CA Oak; ~20 ft in 5 years.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds (acorns), root-crown sprouts and stump/root-collar sprouts (basal/epicormic sprouts after damage)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and butterflies