California Black Oak is the dominant deciduous oak of the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains, with deeply lobed, glossy leaves and large, elongated acorns. It was the most important food plant for many Sierra Nevada and coastal Range indigenous peoples, who ground the acorns into a nutritious meal. Steller's jays and acorn woodpeckers harvest acorns prodigiously.
Best time to see a California Black Oak
The best time to see a California Black Oak is April–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 15,826 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a California Black Oak? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent California Black Oak sightings near you
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