Science · Specimen Trees
Coast Live Oak
California's iconic evergreen oak — long-lived and drought-adapted, but easily killed by summer irrigation near its trunk.
Quercus agrifolia · Evergreen native oak
Profile
- Zones
- USDA 9–10
- Mature size
- 30–80 ft tall, wider spread
- Lifespan
- 250+ years
- Root zone
- Wide and shallow; extends past the canopy
- Value
- Protected species in many jurisdictions
Water & soil targets
- Moisture (VWC)
- Keep summer root zone near dry (~10–18%)
- Salinity tolerance
- Low tolerance
- Drought tolerance
- Excellent once established
Summer water near the trunk invites oak root fungus and crown rot.
Problems to watch
- Oak root fungus (Armillaria)
- Sudden oak death
- Goldspotted oak borer
- Phytophthora crown rot
Stress signs
- Thinning canopy
- Bleeding cankers
- Leaf browning
Where you'll find it
- Golf courses
- Estates
- Campuses and parks
More specimen trees
Southern Live OakDate Palm (Medjool)Canary Island Date PalmCoast RedwoodJapanese MapleSouthern Magnolia
All Science profilesGeneral agronomic guidance and typical ranges; actual targets vary by site, soil, climate and season.