Botanical Name: Quercus berberidifolia
Common Name: California scrub oak
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub/tree
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape when young, is a multi-stemmed shrub with stiff branching forming a rounded canopy; with age becomes more irregular in its growth habit
Height 6' - 15'
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate slow
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors prefers full sun near the coast – tolerates some shade at inland sites
Soil thrives in dry rocky soils; tolerates most if well-draining
Hardiness hardy (zones 4-9, 14-24): best in coastal foothill areas
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, alternate, oval-oblong, 1/2"-1" long; surfaces rather glossy; margins vary from spiny-toothed to nearly entire (smooth)
Flowers inconspicuous, in catkins
Fruit a nut; acorn is small; rather tapered
 
Propagation:
seed
 
Usage:
an excellent small-scale accent tree in woodlands or Mediterranean-climate theme gardens for its picturesque rugged branch structure; good on slopes or dry habitats; use as informal background mass if unpruned; suitable as a bonsai
 
Landscape Care:
Watering prefers an occasional deep-soaking; is very drought-tolerant
Fertilizing none required
Pruning head high & develop primary branch structure; thin out as needed for more rugged & attractive shape
Pests/Diseases relatively free
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: chaparral-covered foothills of central and Southern California
Family: Fagaceae

Notes:
 
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