By Canopy Team on October 9, 2024
Happy Oaktober! Originally published in 2017, we’re digging up this blogpost to introduce you to the wonder of oaks. Published with the original Oaktober series, you can read our second installment of the series about native oak tree care and third installment about why we care about oaks.
Notice the trees as the fall season approaches – the scarlet and red oak leaves change to vibrant autumnal hues, the valley oak’s lobed leaves litter the ground, and the new crop of acorns crunch under our shoes.
This October, we are celebrating the splendor of oak trees and all that they contribute to the urban ecosystem. Our native oaks are particularly special, so we’re taking some time this month to pay tribute. Locally native oaks including the black oak, blue oak, coast live oak, and valley oak are ecologically unparalleled, bringing grace and greenery to many of our Midpeninsula communities.
Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii): Growing throughout California, the black oak is highly drought-tolerant and the most widely distributed of all oaks in the west. With a large spreading root system, the tree is deciduous and can grow up to 80 feet in height with a broad, rounded crown. The name comes from the dark bark color of mature trees.
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii): Especially suited to withstand hot temperatures, this native oak is typically found growing in areas such as valleys and coastal ranges. The slow growing blue oak is deciduous and noted for its sparse foliage with a blue tint.
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia): The coast live oak is an evergreen tree that can live for centuries and grow up to 80 feet tall! As you may guess from its name, the tree enjoys the fog and mild winters of the California coast. From butterflies to birds, over 270 species rely on the coast live oak for its acorns.
Valley Oak (Quercus lobata): Considered the monarch of California oaks by virtue of its size, age, and beauty, the valley oak is a deciduous tree that loses its leaves in the winter. It is considered a protected species by the City of Palo Alto. Ideally, the tree should have no summer irrigation underneath it. Watering of other plants around its base can cause root crown fungus, leading to the death of the tree.
Trees are one of the most significant living forces in our environment. In our region, oaks in particular have played a key role in supporting local ecosystems and sustaining a diverse web of native wildlife. Additionally, native oaks are well adapted to the California environment of dry summers and periods of drought. Compared to other species, they are able to thrive with less water in the urban environment, contributing to a reduced need for irrigation.
Yet over the last two centuries, once prevalent oak woodlands have been largely eliminated, first by agricultural conversion, and later by rapid development and urbanization. Today, there is increasing recognition that re-integrating oaks in our parks and urban landscapes promises a host of benefits, both for wildlife and for people. Read more about re-integrating oaks into our landscapes or “re-oaking” here.
Celebrate Oaktober with us and join one our upcoming oak-tastic events!
Tree Survey: The Great Oak Count Event #4 (Saturday, October 19):
Join Canopy for this historic native oak survey, the only one of its kind in the Bay Area! This survey will collect valuable information about our native oak population, which scientists can use to evaluate how our urban forest ecosystem has changed since Canopy first surveyed Palo Alto’s oaks over 20 years ago. Sign up to volunteer.
Bilingual Tree Walk / Caminata de árboles: East Palo Alto (Saturday, October 26): Join San Mateo County Libraries and Canopy for a bilingual (Spanish-English) tree walk in East Palo Alto! On Canopy tree walks, an arborist will guide you through your local urban forest to teach you about the variety of trees and their impact. Learn more about the tree walk.
For complete events details or to sign up, visit our calendar.
Join in and share photos of oaks! Tag us @CanopyTreesForAll on Facebook and @CanopyTrees on Instagram. Be sure to use #Oaktober!
Stay tuned for our next post that will dive into the valuable role of oaks in our ecosystems, shining light on how people can play a part in enhancing our cities through re-oaking.