| DESCRIPTION: It is a rounded, spreading, evergreen shrub or tree usually reaching 5-20 m in height with an average maximum dbh. 0.8- 1.5 m. On very good sites it may reach op to 30 m in height. In open stands, the dense canopy may reach nearly to the ground, while in closed stands, crowns tend to be of smaller diameter and take up only the top one-third to one-half of the tree. It may live to at least 250 or 300 years of age. The bark is smooth to striped and the roots may reach to 7.3 m below the soil surface. The leaves are leathery and oblong. USE: It is, by volume, one of the most important California hardwoods. The wood is hard, stiff, and strong and can be used to make furniture, pallets, and attractive multi-colored paneling or veneer. It provides important habitat and feed for many animal species. It grows well on steep slopes which are prone to erosion and is an excellent soil stabilizer. It is planted as an ornamental and is well-suited for use in urban plantings. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Canyon live oak. FURTHER INF: It grows on steep, rocky, often exposed slopes or ridges, in narrow canyon bottoms, sheltered coves, rock crevices, dry washes, and arroyos. It grows well on a variety of well-drained soils including fine-grained, gravelly sandy loams, or poorly developed skeletal soils. Best growth occurs on rich, moist soils of canyon bottoms. The tree is shade-tolerant when young. |
