8 Types of Oak Trees in Thousand Oaks, CA

Are you planning to plant an Oak Tree on your property grounds in Thousand Oaks, CA? Well, there are many types of Oak species that you can plant, depending on the space and soil you have. California has many native and naturalized Oaks growing all over the state. Read on to discover the types of Oak Trees in Thousand Oaks, CA!

A city named after Oak trees is bound to have a wide variety of Oaks growing on its soil and its vicinity. That stands true for Thousand Oaks, which is home to a wide array of Oak species thriving on its grounds. California’s urban forests are largely made up of non-native trees like Magnolia, Eucalyptus, Ficus, and more. However, many evergreen and deciduous oak varieties are scattered among these foreign species, including Interior Live Oak, Coast Live Oak, Engelmann Oak, and more.

Thanks to the abundance of these trees, the acorns on them were a staple of many Californian diets. Moreover, the durable Oakwood became an integral part of the materials used in indigenous communities across the state. Today, many of these trees grow on high and low lands, near water bodies and marshes, and in forested areas.

Oak trees produce brown or auburn-hued, rounded or narrow acorns with flat, saucer-shaped, scaly, warty, and, at times, mossy cups. These acorns attract a wide array of wildlife, including raccoons, deer, cows, birds, and more. These trees also have beautiful fall foliage and grow monoecious clusters of non-showy blossoms. Their wood is used to create flooring, furniture, musical instruments, and more.

Let’s take a look at some common types of Oak trees in Thousand Oaks, CA, that you can grow in your home garden:

1. Blue Oak (Quercus Douglasii)

Quercus douglasii
Eugene Zelenko Quercus douglasii

Blue Oak is a Californian native that grows in the foothills around the Central Valley, Coastal Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area. Also known as the Mountain Oak or Iron Oak, Blue Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous specimen that grows up to a height of 50 to 82 feet. It features an irregular crown, light gray bark, and dark, blue-green, shallowly lobed leaves. This slow-growing tree grows rounded acorns with narrow bases and a moderately sweet kernel. It thrives in full sun and free-draining soil.

2. Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata)

Quercus Lobata
CC0 Quercus Lobata

Valley Oak is one of the largest North American Oaks. This fast-growing tree can reach up to 20 feet in merely five years and 40 feet in ten years. Mature specimens can grow up to 100 feet and live up to 600 years! Valley Oak has a thick, ridged bark, a sturdy trunk, and irregular, spreading branches. It has an arching crown decked with yellow to light orange autumn leaves. The foliage is rounded, deeply lobed, and matt green with a pale green underside. Valley Oak grows wildlife-attracting acorns. This messy yet striking tree thrives when planted near a water source.

3. Oregon White Oak (Quercus Garryana)

Quercus Garryana
J Brew Quercus Garryana

Also known as Garry Oak, Oregon White Oak grows in the US and Canada from sea level to lower altitudes. Depending on where it’s growing, this tree can reach up to a tall and stately stature of 90 feet or a medium height of 50 to 60 feet. In some places, it also grows as a tall shrub with a 20 feet mature height. Oregon White Oak has large, lobed, deciduous leaves. This upright, slow-growing tree grows brown acorns and cream or yellowish-green spring blooms.

4. Engelmann Oak (Quercus Engelmannii)

Quercus Engelmannii
Tracie Hall Quercus Engelmannii

Also known as Mesa Oak, Engelmann Oak is a rare Oak Southern Californian native. This moderately fast-growing tree reaches up to a height of 65 feet with a broad crown that is 98 feet wide. It’s a typically evergreen tree with an upright form, winding branches, and thick, furrowed bark. Engelmann Oak features leathery, blue-green, flat or wavy, and smooth margined leaves. It grows cylindrical flower clusters and acorns. This tree likes somewhat free-draining soil and full sun.

5. Coast Live Oak (Quercus Agrifolia)

Quercus Agrifolia
Rafael Medina Quercus Agrifolia

Coast Live Oak is a striking evergreen specimen that grows in Mexico and the US. This multi-branched tree can reach a mature height of 30 to 85 feet. Some varieties may live past 250 years since plantation. Younger trees tend to be shrubby, while older trees have a massive trunk and a broad, rounded, and dense crown. It has oval, convex, dark green, spiny-toothed foliage and inconspicuous, monoecious flowers. It grows slender, reddish-brown acorns that attract butterflies and birds.

6. Interior Live Oak (Quecus Wislizeni)

Quercus Wislizeni
Donald Loarie Quercus Wislizeni

Interior Live Oak is a native species that grows near the coastal ranges and Sierra foothills at an elevation of 5,000 feet from sea level. It’s a broad tree that grows up to a height of 15 to 50 feet tall. It features evergreen, thick, leathery, toothed, green leaves. It grows cream or green, non-showy spring blooms, and narrow, long, pointed acorns deeply rooted in their caps. This moderately slow-growing plant thrives in moist, rich, free-draining soils.

7. Canyon Live Oak (Quercus Chrysolepis)

Quercus Chrysolepis
John J Kehoe Quercus Chrysolepis

Canyon Live Oak is an evergreen Oak species found in the southwestern part of North America. It’s the most widespread Oak Tree in California, where it’s found near creeks, growing in moist, cool conditions. Canyon Live Oak grows up to be 30 to 90 feet tall, depending on its growing conditions. It has a wide, upright, and rounded crown that grows 30 to 60 feet wide. This ornamental specimen has glossy, dark green, spiny leaves and non-showy blooms. Also known as Golden-Cup Oak, Canyon Live Oak thrives in moist, free-draining soils and full sun to light shade.

8. California Black Oak (Quercus Kelloggii)

Quercus Kelloggii
Franco Folini Quercus Kelloggii

California Black Oak is a western North American native. This deciduous tree grows up to a mature height of 30 to 80 feet and features an equally widespread, rounded crown with lower branches reaching the ground. Large trees might grow up to be 120 feet. California Black Oak features a forked trunk, blackish bark, deeply lobed, large, green leaves, and large acorns. This slow-growing tree can live up to 500 years of age. It grows monoecious, greenish-yellow, or cream-hued spring and winter blooms.