Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
Also listed as Quercus acutiglandis, Quercus oxyadenia
Also known as California Live Oak
Climate Match for your location
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A California native oak with a broad, spreading crown and small, holly-like leaves that are glossy green above and silvery below. Highly drought-tolerant and adapted to coastal conditions, it provides excellent shade and wildlife habitat.
Why grow it
Coast live oak outperforms most other California native oaks in establishing on coastal sites with salt spray and strong winds, while maintaining a more compact crown than valley oak or interior live oak where space is limited. It requires minimal supplemental water once established and provides reliable year-round structure and wildlife value in Mediterranean climates. Compared to exotic ornamental oaks, it supports native insects and birds more effectively while tolerating poorer soils.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow during the first few years, particularly if planted as a larger specimen; younger trees typically transition to independent growth more successfully. The shallow root system means competition with nearby plantings is significant, so spacing should account for eventual crown spread. In fire-prone regions, lower branches may need periodic removal to meet defensible space requirements.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California coastal regions
Native to: California
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A California native oak with a broad, spreading crown and small, holly-like leaves that are glossy green above and silvery below. Highly drought-tolerant and adapted to coastal conditions, it provides excellent shade and wildlife habitat.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Coast Live Oak grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Coast live oak outperforms most other California native oaks in establishing on coastal sites with salt spray and strong winds, while maintaining a more compact crown than valley oak or interior live oak where space is limited. It requires minimal supplemental water once established and provides reliable year-round structure and wildlife value in Mediterranean climates. Compared to exotic ornamental oaks, it supports native insects and birds more effectively while tolerating poorer soils.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow during the first few years, particularly if planted as a larger specimen; younger trees typically transition to independent growth more successfully. The shallow root system means competition with nearby plantings is significant, so spacing should account for eventual crown spread. In fire-prone regions, lower branches may need periodic removal to meet defensible space requirements.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California coastal regions
Native to: California
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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