Optimal Growth Conditions

• Mature Height: 25 - 82 feet
• Mature Width: 15 - 70 feet (Canopy)
• Sun: Full Sun, Filtered Sun, Partial Shade
• Water: Very Low, Low, Moderate
• Soil Drainage: Medium

 

Geographic Appropriateness

• USDA Zone: Zones 8 - 10
• Sunset Zone: Zones 7 - 9, 14 - 24
• Native Sites: Coast Live Oak occurs in a number of natural settings over a large part of the state, usually at elevations below 3000 feet. It is often seen in valleys and slopes near (but not in) streams. Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub are frequently upslope from these trees, with Riparian vegetation in the stream. In other areas, it is found among numerous other tree species (including other oak species) as part of Foothill Woodland or Mixed Evergreen Forest. It is occasionally found in native grassland savannahs.

 

Additional Landscaping Information

• Characteristics: Wide Canopy, California Native, Drought Tolerant, Evergreen, Summer Semi-Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Rare Species, Threatened or Endangered Species, Keystone Species
• Special Uses: Shade Tree, Bank Stabilization, Street Tree (check local guidelines before planting), Butterfly Gardens, Informal Hedge

In the first year after planting, water deeply once a week. Then, reduce it to once a month until it reaches about 10 feet tall. After that, avoid watering directly during summer. 
 

Water new trees deeply on a regular schedule to help them establish deep roots that can eventually reach ground water. If drought-stressed, they will go summer deciduous; this can be mitigated with regular irrigation through summer, up to two times a month once established.

 

Add 3+ inches of undyed, high-quality mulch around the tree to the drip line (the space on the ground below the edges of the tree's canopy). As the tree matures, it will create its own mulch with its fallen leaves.

 

Avoid the "mulch volcano" — do not allow mulch to touch the trunk, and keep soil and mulch off of the root flare (the area where the trunk begins to separate into large sections of roots in the ground). Do not allow water to pool around the crown/root flare, as this can cause rot.

 

It is usually helpful to plant young oaks, including Coast Live Oaks, in areas with filtered full sun or partial shade where their roots can stay protected and cool. You can also use large rocks and install smaller native understory plants below it/beside it. This can help reduce stress on the tree as it works to establish roots.

 

If you are planting near an irrigated lawn or use automatic sprinklers on your property, it is critical that you do not allow water to hit the trunk. Repeated water splashes can damage the tree's protective bark and inner layers of wood, making it eventually snap and fall over at its collar. Similiarly, avoid hitting the trunk with weed-whacking tools, which can cause similar problems.

 

Only prune new/young trees to help maintain a central leader. If a central leader is not maintained during the first years of its life, the tree will not be able to reach its potential for height and shade. Other pruning cuts can reduce leaves needed for energy production and create an awkward, unattractive form.

 

Prune in July or August, when the trees slow their growth to conserve energy in the heat, or when the weather is dry (damp pruning cuts can facilitate pathogens). As much as possible, avoid pruning large limbs, which creates high risks of infection that can be difficult to recover from. Avoid over-thinning interior branches or "lion tailing."

 

As with other California native plants, the larger the nursery container size, the more time it will take for the plant to establish. Keep this tradeoff in mind when choosing the most appropriate size for your needs.

 

Never fertilize oaks or use other amendments in the soil. These plants, like other California native plants, they amend the surrounding soil over time (including sandy, nutrient-poor soils).

Coast Live Oak is native to Foothill Woodland, Southern Oak Woodland, areas downslope of Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub, and areas upslope from Riparian plant communities.

Contrary to popular belief, many plants can (and should!) live under oaks. Understory plants include Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Coffeeberry (Frangula californica), Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum), Sages (Salvia spp.), Manzanita species, Ceanothus species, Penstemon species, California native grasses, and perennial and annual wildflowers.

 

If you have turf lawn space or hardscaped surfaces below the canopy of the tree, we recommend replacing as much of the area as possible with mulched native perennials, annuals, and ornamental grasses, and to avoid mowing and raking/blowing leaf litter and soil.

 

Not only will this step improve your water use efficiency and reduce the time and labor the yard requires, but it will also help create a "soft landing" for caterpillars that feed on the Oak when they are young.

 

The caterpillars drop to the ground to start their next life stage as pupae in the leaf litter and soil, a vital step before their transformation into butterflies and pollinating moths. If a caterpillar falls into turfgrass or onto hardscape, it falls into an "ecological trap" where it cannot complete this critical life stage.

• Butterflies
• Caterpillars
• Birds
• Other pollinators

• All of our plants are grown locally in California, specifically for California gardens
• We work only with the best growers who have decades of trusted experience
• Each plant is expertly selected by hand, carefully monitoring and tending up to the moment it arrives at your location

All orders are delivered curbside with flat rate delivery.

 

We are committed to sharing the joy of California native plants with our clients, selecting only the finest premium quality plants for your landscape.

 

Whether it is a small plant or a large tree, we use the appropriate vehicles and team members to deliver your order in a timely manner. Once placing your order, you will receive a confirmation email.

 

In-stock products are processed immediately so that you can enjoy them as soon as possible. We will notify you when your order is ready to ship to confirm your delivery window.