Science · Specimen Trees
Coast Live Oak
Coast live oak has a broad, densely foliaged crown and leathery evergreen leaves. Its native range extends along coastal California into Baja California.
Profile
- Foliage
- Evergreen, with thick leathery leaves and spiny, rolled-under margins.
- Fruit
- Narrowly egg-shaped acorns partly enclosed by a thin cup.
- Range
- Coastal California south into Baja California.
Source: Quercus agrifolia — Oregon State University ↗ — Supports foliage, acorns and range.
Species and soil references do not establish universal moisture targets, monetary appraisals or pest diagnoses. Missing pest lists mean evidence has not been verified, not absence of pests.
Water & soil context
- Moisture (VWC)
- No universal numerical VWC target established; calibrate to soil, sensor placement and root-zone conditions.
- Salinity tolerance
- No profile-specific salinity rating retained without direct evidence.
- Drought tolerance
- Depends on identity, establishment, climate and soil; do not infer an irrigation threshold from drought tolerance.
Young oaks require establishment irrigation. Established California native oaks generally need little supplemental water; drought rescue irrigation may be appropriate in outer root zone. Avoid frequent summer irrigation and wetting the root crown.
Source: Water Management and Pest Problems — UC IPM ↗ — General woody-landscape guidance, not a species-specific irrigation prescription: both deficit and excess moisture injure roots; new root balls can dry between irrigations. No universal VWC target.
Source: Oaks in the Home Landscape — UC Master Gardeners ↗ — Explicitly discusses coast live, interior live, blue and valley oaks; avoid irrigation at root crown; established oaks need little supplemental irrigation, with exceptions during drought; young trees require establishment water.
Problems to watch
No species-specific list verified in the cited references. This does not mean absence of pests or stress; investigate changes with a qualified specialist.
Stress signs
No species-specific list verified in the cited references. This does not mean absence of pests or stress; investigate changes with a qualified specialist.
Where you'll find it
- Golf courses
- Estates
- Campuses and parks
Sources & scope
- Water Management and Pest Problems — UC IPM ↗
General woody-landscape guidance, not a species-specific irrigation prescription: both deficit and excess moisture injure roots; new root balls can dry between irrigations. No universal VWC target.
- Oaks in the Home Landscape — UC Master Gardeners ↗
Explicitly discusses coast live, interior live, blue and valley oaks; avoid irrigation at root crown; established oaks need little supplemental irrigation, with exceptions during drought; young trees require establishment water.
- Quercus agrifolia — Oregon State University ↗
Supports foliage, acorns and range.
More specimen trees
Published botanical and soil references are distinct from GroundWorx product guidance. Moisture thresholds and monitoring depths require site calibration; sources do not establish product performance or diagnose stress.