Oak Trees are the trees for which Woodland was named. They are the dominant trees in the central oak woodland plant community that existed here before the city was developed. Oak Avenue, Oak Drive, and Hanging Oak Way in Woodland are all named after oak trees.

Oak trees are members of the beech family (Fagaceae), which is most closely related to the birch, sheoak, and walnut families.

Our native oaks can be classified into three subgenera of the genus Quercus: white oaks, red oaks, and intermediate oaks. White oaks have short styles and usually rounded, smooth leaf lobes. Their acorns mature in 6 months and taste sweet or slightly bitter. The insides of the acorn shells are hairless. They are immune to the sudden oak death pathogen. Red oaks have long styles and usually sharp leaf lobes, with spiny bristles at the tips of the lobes. Their acorns mature in 18 months and taste very bitter. The insides of the acorn shells appear woolly. The actual nut is encased in a thin, clinging, papery skin. Intermediate oaks closely resemble red oaks, except that intermediate oaks have short styles.

Because oaks are such a dominant tree in our native ecosystems, many of our native birds have evolved to depend primarily on oaks for food and shelter. Planting oak trees in your yard is an excellent way to attract rufous-crowned sparrows, oak titmice, lesser goldfinches, acorn woodpeckers, yellow-billed magpies, Nuttall's woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, and Bewick's wrens.

Oaks are also the larval host plants for the California sister, Propertius duskywing, mournful duskywing, golden hairstreak, and gold-hunter's hairstreak butterflies.

All oak species have both male and female flowers on the same tree. The female flowers are tiny and borne near the tips of the branches. The male flowers are long catkins that dangle from the branches a bit farther toward the center of the tree. The pollen is produced by the catkins and is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause fairly severe allergic reactions, although deciduous oak species are slightly less allergenic than evergreen (live oak) species. Generally, if you get hay fever from one oak species, you'll get it from any other oak species also.

Oaks Native to Woodland

Three oak species are native to Woodland.

Valley Oak (Quercus lobata). Photo by queerbychoice.Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) is a deciduous white oak tree that is native to Woodland. It is the dominant tree species in the native ecosystem of Woodland, and it is therefore the main species from which Woodland takes its name. The single tree in the middle of Beamer Circle Park is a Valley Oak tree. There are also Valley Oaks in Beamer Park, Campbell Park, Christiansen Park, City Park, Dave Douglass Park, Everman Park, Freeman Park, Gary Traynham Park, Jack Slaven Park, John Ferns Park, Pioneer Park, Ralph Harris Park, Rick Gonzales, Sr., Park, Spring Lake Park, Wayne Cline Park, William Crawford, Sr., Park, Woodland City Cemetery, Woodland Off-Leash Dog Park (Legacy Tree Grove), Woodland Sports Park, Woodland West Park, and Woodside Park. Additionally, Valley Oaks are planted as street trees on 1st Street, 4th Street, 6th Street, Clanton Way, Cleveland Street, Clover Street, Court Street, Dead Cat Alley, Dingle Lane, Dog Gone Alley, East Gibson Road, East Gum Avenue, East Street, Highway 16, Hura Alley, Kentucky Avenue, Library Alley, Marshall Avenue, North East Street, North Street, Oak Avenue, Palm Avenue, Pendegast Street, Pioneer Avenue, Plaza Alley, Quail Drive, West City Park Alley, and Yolo Alley.

Valley Oak trees can live to be over 500 years old and can grow fairly quickly to over 100 feet tall and about half as wide. They prefer full sun. They usually grow in dry areas but are more tolerant of water than any other California native oak; they can occasionally grow in wetlands (or in an irrigated lawn). They adapt to the conditions they find themselves in, so they can survive in a lawn if planted into a pre-existing lawn, but they will not survive if you suddenly plant a lawn under them after they have grown up in drier conditions. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Valley Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever.

The small, shallowly lobed leaves of Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii). Photo by queerbychoice.Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) is a deciduous white oak tree that is native to Woodland. Highly drought tolerant, Blue Oaks invest much of their energy into root growth so as to find water in dry soil. They are therefore unusually slow growing above ground, increasing in height by no more than about a foot or so per year even under the best of conditions. They can live to be over 500 years old but never exceed 100 feet in height. Their leaves have a bluish tint that helps reflect the heat of the sun rather than absorbing it; the leaves become bluer when the trees are more drought stressed. The leaves are usually 2–4 inches long and often have lobed edges. The acorns are usually about 1 inch long. Blue Oaks prefer full sun or partial shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Blue Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. There are Blue Oaks planted in Freeman Park and John Ferns Park. Two out of three Blue Oaks planted in John Ferns Park in 1979 when the nature area there was first installed are still alive today. Blue Oaks are also planted as street trees on East Main Street and on Quail Drive.

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) can be recognized by its tendency to have some holly-shaped leaves and some smooth-edged leaves—often with both leaf shapes on a single branch. Photo by queerbychoice.Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) is an evergreen red oak tree or large shrub that is native to Woodland. Highly variable in size, Interior Live Oaks can grow more than 70 feet tall but often stay under 30 feet tall and can even remain more shrublike than treelike. They tend to grow about equally as wide as tall. Their dark, leathery leaves are often but not always spiny-toothed, like holly leaves; trees at higher elevations tend to have a larger percentage of holly-like leaves, while trees at lower elevations have primarily fairly smooth leaves. Interior Live Oak acorns are long, narrow, and sharply pointed. Interior Live Oaks prefer full sun or partial shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Interior Live Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about March through May. There are Interior Live Oaks planted at City Park, Dave Douglass Park, Grace Hiddleson Park, Jack Slaven Park, John Ferns Park, Pioneer Park, Woodland Public Library, and Woodland Sports Park. One of two Interior Live Oaks planted in John Ferns Park in 1979 when the nature area there was first installed are still alive today. Interior Live Oaks are also planted as street trees on 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, East Gibson Road, East Gum Avenue, Elm Street, Johnston Street, Laurel Street, and Oak Avenue.

Oaks Native to Other Parts of Yolo County

Seven other oak species, plus one widely recognized naturally occurring hybrid, are native to other parts of Yolo County. In addition to the named hybrids, many other oaks in the wild are hybridized to some extent. They usually hybridize within the same taxonomic group (white oaks with other white oaks, red oaks with other red oaks).

White Oaks

Inland Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia) is an evergreen white oak tree that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It can grow to about 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide if sheltered by nearby trees or structures but stays smaller when more exposed to sun and wind. It prefers full sun or partial shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Inland Scrub Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms in February and March.

Coastal Sage Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa) is an evergreen white oak shrub that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It grows very slowly, to about 10 feet tall and equally wide. It prefers full sun. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Coastal Sage Scrub Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms in February and March.

Leather Oak (Quercus durata) is an evergreen white oak shrub that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It grows slowly, to only about 12 to 15 feet tall. It prefers full sun. Often used as a street tree, it can tolerate garden soil but prefers dry soils with low fertility. In the wild, it is often associated with serpentine soil. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Leather Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms in April and May.

Oregon Oak (Quercus garryana) is a deciduous white oak tree that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It can grow to as much as 90 feet tall and 30 feet wide in the Pacific Northwest but rarely exceeds 30 feet tall in Yolo County. It prefers full sun or partial shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Oregon Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever.

Intermediate Oaks

Gold Cup Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis). Photo by queerbychoice.Gold Cup Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis) is an evergreen intermediate oak tree that is native to Davis and to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. There are Gold Cup Live Oak trees planted as street trees on East Gum Avenue and on Kentucky Avenue between Palm Avenue and the railroad tracks. Gold Cup Live Oak trees can grow to over 100 feet tall and nearly 100 feet wide. Their 1- to 3-inch leaves are flat-shaped, spiny-edged, and rounder at the base but pointier at the tip. The leaves are a glossy dark green on the upper surface but a dull golden on the underside. Gold Cup Live Oak acorns are 1 to 2 inches long. The tree can grow in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Gold Cup Live Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms in May and June.

Red Oaks

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) is an evergreen red oak tree that is native to the eastern two thirds of Davis, the portion of West Sacramento that is south of the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel, the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. Coast Live Oaks can live to be over 250 years old and grow to over 80 feet tall and nearly half as wide, though they are often shrub-shaped when young. They prefer partial shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Coast Live Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about February through April. There are Coast Live Oaks planted at City Hall, City Park, Dave Douglass Park, Everman Park, John Ferns Park, Pioneer Park, Rick Gonzales, Sr., Park, and Woodland Sports Park. All three of the Coast Live Oaks planted in John Ferns Park in 1979 when the nature area there was first installed are still alive today. Coast Live Oaks are also planted as street trees on County Road 102, Court Street, Dog Gone Alley, East Gum Avenue, and Sports Park Drive.

California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) can be identified by the bristles on the tips of its large, deeply lobed leaves. Photo by queerbychoice.California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) is a deciduous red oak tree that is native to the Yolo County foothills, only along the far western edge of the county. It can live to be over 500 years old and grows to over 100 feet tall and over 30 feet wide. It can grow in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. California Black Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever.

Oracle Oak (Quercus × morehus) is a hybrid of two red oak species: Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) and California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii). The former parent is evergreen and native to Woodland as well as to nearly all of Yolo County; the latter parent is deciduous and native to only the far western edges of Yolo County. Oracle Oaks are therefore semi-deciduous and found in the Yolo County foothills. They tend to stay shorter than California Black Oaks and can get a bit taller than Interior Live Oaks.

Non-Native Oaks Planted by the City of Woodland

With so many native oak trees to choose from, why is our city government planting hundreds of non-native oak trees in our parks and as street trees? Native oaks that co-evolved with our local insect species are much more valuable to our local ecosystem than oak species imported from the other side of the continent or the other side of the world. But these non-native species are extensively planted throughout Woodland.

Chestnut-leaf Oak (Quercus castaneafolia) is a deciduous Old World oak from Iran. It is the tallest of all oak species, growing to over 100 feet tall. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Chestnut-leaf Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. There are Chestnut-leaf Oaks planted in Pioneer Park and as street trees on 3rd Street.

Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) is a fast-growing, long-lived, deciduous red oak from the eastern and central United States. It usually grows 70 to 90 feet tall. In 20 years, it might grow to 30 feet tall. It prefers full sun. It grows only in dry areas and is typically grown for its fall color. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Scarlet Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. There are Scarlet Oaks planted in Woodland City Cemetery and Woodland Sports Park. Scarlet Oaks are also planted as street trees on 2nd Street, 3rd Street, Cross Street, and Sports Park Drive.

Holly Oak (Quercus ilex) is an evergreen Old World oak from the Mediterranean region. It grows 50 to 90 feet tall and often equally wide. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Holly Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about May through August. There are Holly Oaks planted in Christiansen Park, Jack Slaven Park, John Ferns Park, Ralph Harris Park, and Woodland Sports Park and as street trees on 3rd Street, 4th Street, County Road 102, Court Street, Cross Street, North Street, and Sports Park Drive.

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is a fast-growing, deciduous red oak from the eastern and central United States. It usually grows 70 to 100 feet tall. In 20 years, it might grow to 40 feet tall. It prefers full sun. It has high water needs and low drought tolerance, so it usually grows in wetlands. It is typically grown for its fall color. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Pin Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. There are Pin Oaks planted in Jack Slaven Park and as street trees on Dead Cat Alley.

Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) is a fast-growing, long-lived, deciduous red oak from the eastern and south-central United States. It grows 70 to 100 feet tall and not as wide. In 20 years, it might grow to 60 feet tall. It prefers full sun. It has high water needs and no drought tolerance, so it usually grows in wetlands. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Willow Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. Willow Oaks are planted at City Hall and Ralph Harris Park. Willow Oaks are also planted as street trees on 1st Street, College Street, and Pendegast Street.

English Columnar White Oak (Quercus robur 'Fastigiata') is a deciduous Old World oak from Europe and Asia. It grows to over 100 feet tall, and the 'Fastigiata' cultivar is columnar, with narrow branch crotches that are structurally weak. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. English Columnar White Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. There are English Columnar White Oaks planted at Dick Klenhard Ballfield Complex, Jack Slaven Park, Pioneer Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and Woodland Sports Park and as street trees on County Road 102, Elm Street, Kentucky Avenue, Lemen Avenue, Matmor Road, and North Street.

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a long-lived, deciduous red oak from the eastern and central United States. It usually grows 80 to 100 feet tall but is extremely susceptible to sudden oak death. In 20 years, it might grow to 36 feet tall. It prefers full sun or partial shade. It usually does not grow in wetlands, but it has a low tolerance for drought. It is typically grown for its fall color. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Northern Red Oak is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause fairly severe hay fever. There are Northern Red Oaks planted in Campbell Park, Dave Douglass Park, Freeman Park, Jack Slaven Park, Pioneer Park, Rick Gonzales, Sr., Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and Woodland Sports Park and as street trees on 1st Street, 2nd Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, County Road 102, Court Street, Elliot Street, Lemen Avenue, Locust Street, North Street, Palm Avenue, Pioneer Avenue, Sports Park Drive, Sutter Street, and Walnut Street.

Cork Oak (Quercus suber) is an evergreen Old World oak from the Mediterranean region. It is the primary source of cork. It grows about 50 feet tall. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Cork Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about May through June. There are Cork Oaks planted in Campbell Park, Jack Slaven Park, Ralph Harris Park, Pioneer Park, Rick Gonzales, Sr., Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and Woodland Sports Park and as street trees on 1st Street, 4th Street, Bliss Avenue, Court Street, Dead Cat Alley, East Gibson Road, Elliot Street, Kentucky Avenue, Marshall Avenue, North College Street, and North Street.

Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is a fast-growing, long-lived, evergreen New World oak from the southeastern United States. It grows to about 50 to 60 feet tall and about 70 to 80 feet wide. In 20 years, it might grow to 25 feet tall. It prefers full sun or partial shade. It usually grows in dry areas. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Southern Live Oak is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about March through April. There are Southern Live Oaks planted at City Hall, Dave Douglass Park, Jack Slaven Park, Rick Gonzales, Sr., Park, and Spring Lake Park.