Information on Oregon White Oak Trees
The Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), also known as the Garry oak, is a deciduous hardwood native to the western United States and Canada. Like all other members of the Quercus genus (oaks), this tree is included in the Fagaceae (beech) family. Does this Spark an idea?
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Description
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Oregon white oak trees typically reach a mature height of 50 to 90 feet. The tallest recorded Oregon white oak ascended to a height of 120 feet. The trunk, which averages 2 to 3 feet in diameter, is covered in thin, grayish-brown bark etched with furrows that separate broad ridges. Long branches extend vigorously from the trunk, creating a majestic crown spread of approximately 126 feet in diameter. Oregon white oak leaves are deeply lobed with rounded tips. The upper surface is dark green and possesses the texture of shiny leather. The undersides of these leaves are a pale, velvety green. In the autumn, green shades give way to brilliant red and gold hues. From March to June, these trees produce slim flowers known as catkins. From August to November, robust acorns approximately 1.2 inches long and .6 inches wide appear.
Range
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Oregon white oak trees are found in the inland regions of North America's Pacific coast. Their range extends from Vancouver Island in Canada southward to Los Angeles, Calif. These trees grow prolifically on the islands in Puget Sound in Washington, as well as in the Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue River valleys of Oregon. The Klamath Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California are also home to many Oregon white oaks.
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Climate and Habitat
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Oregon white oaks thrive in a variety of drastically divergent climates. They tolerate temperatures ranging from minus 30 to 116 degrees Fahrenheit. They flourish in both cool, humid maritime environs and hot, dry inland valleys, where the annual rainfall varies between 6.7 and 103.5 inches. These trees prefer acidic soils, as well as full sun. They can coexist with other trees in broadleaf and conifer forests, or stand alone in meadows and pastures.
Uses
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The Oregon white oak tree's acorns provide a source of food to many woodland creatures, including bears, deer, pocket gophers and chipmunks. They're also edible by humans. This tree's slow-burning wood is favored for fireplace fuel. It 's also been used to fashion flooring, furniture, fence posts and other wooden goods.
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References
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