Quercus agrifolia: Difference between revisions

Coast live oak typically has a much-branched trunk and reaches a mature height of {{convert|10|–|25|m|ft|sp=us}}. Some specimens may attain an age exceeding 1000 years. Examples of this include the Grand Oak of Cherry Valley, California,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/usa/california/riversidecounty/8948_highlandspringsresort/17622/|title=Coast live oak 'The Grand Oak' at Highland Springs Resort, Cherry Valley, California, United States}}</ref> the [[Encino Oak Tree]], which died in the 1990s (part of the stump has been preserved)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83858687.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021220556/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83858687.html|archive-date = 2012-10-21|title = Questia}}</ref> and the Pechanga Great Oak.<ref name="pechanga-nsn.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pechanga-nsn.gov/index.php/history/the-great-oak|title=Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians - the Great Oak}}</ref>▼

The trunk, particularly for older individuals, may be highly contorted, massive and gnarled. The crown is broadly rounded and dense, especially when aged 20 to 70&nbsp;years; in later life the trunk and branches are more well defined and the leaf density lower.<ref name=FNA/> The oldest specimens might exceed 20 feet in trunk circumference and 100 feet height.<ref name="pechanga-nsn.gov"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lindaymakutadds.com/the-lang-oak-encino-oak-tree/|title = The Great Encino Oak Tree}}</ref>▼

The [[leaf|leaves]] are dark green, oval, often [[wikt:convex|convex]] in shape, {{convert|2|–|7|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1|–|4|cm|in|abbr=on}} broad; the leaf margin is spiny-toothed (spinose), with sharp thistly fibers that extend from the lateral leaf veins. The outer layers of leaves are designed for maximum [[sun|solar]] absorption, containing two to three layers of [[photosynthetic]] cells.<ref name=FNA/>▼

These outer leaves are deemed to be small in size to more efficiently re-radiate the heat gained from solar capture. Shaded leaves are generally broader and thinner, having only a single layer of photosynthetic cells. The convex leaf shape may be useful for interior leaves which depend on capturing reflected light scattered in random directions from the outer canopy.<ref name=FNA>{{eFloras|1|233501005|Quercus agrifolia |first=Kevin C. |last=Nixon |volume=3}}</ref>▼

[[File:cloacorne.jpg|thumb|left|Acorns and leaves]]▼

Coast live oak is the only California native oak that actually thrives in the coastal environment, although it is rare on the immediate shore; it enjoys the mild winter and summer climate afforded by ocean proximity, and it is somewhat tolerant of aerosol-borne sea salt. The coastal fog supplies relief from the rainless California summer heat.▼

At least twelve distinct cultures of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] are known to have consumed the acorns as a dietary staple.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moerman |first1=Daniel |title=Native American Food Plants: An Ethnobotanical Dictionary |date=2010 |publisher=Timber Press |pages=472–473}}</ref> The seeds were ground into meal, which after being washed was boiled into mush or baked in ashes to make bread.<ref>{{cite book |last=Whitney |first=Stephen |title=Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides) |date=1985 |publisher=Knopf |location=New York |isbn=0-394-73127-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/westernforests00whit/page/383 383] |url=https://archive.org/details/westernforests00whit/page/383 }}</ref> In the 18th century, [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spaniards]] in the [[San Fernando Valley]] used the wood for charcoal to fire [[kiln]]s in making [[adobe]]. Later this form of charcoal would be utilized in the baking, [[gunpowder]] and [[electric power]] industries.▼