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You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Shrub > Species: Quercus wislizenii | Interior Live Oak
 

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BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

SPECIES: Quercus wislizenii | Interior Live Oak
GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : Interior live oak is a slow-growing, variable evergreen which grows as a large shrub or small tree [15,40,61]. Plants may reach 30 to 75 feet (10-22 m) in height or assume a shrublike growth form with maximum heights of only 8 to 10 feet (2.4-3.1 m). D.b.h. generally ranges from 1 to 3 feet (0.3-0.9 m) [47]. A maximum size of 85.3 inches (216.7 cm) d.b.h. and 90 feet (27.5 m) in height has been reported [10]. The gray-to-dark gray bark is smooth when young but becomes rough and broadly ridged at maturity [40,47]. Young twigs are green-to-reddish but become gray with age [15]. Roots can extend from 30 to 70 feet deep (10-21 m) [18,54]. Interior live oaks have been aged up to 150 to 200 years, although the root system is often much older [47]. In relatively open stands the crown is usually dense and full, and foliage often extends to the ground. However, crowns are often irregularly shaped in closed stands [47]. Leaves, which persist for 2 years, are mostly oblong-to-elliptic or lanceolate, and spiny-toothed to entire [40,47]. Both leaf surfaces are shiny green but the upper surface is darker [15,47]. Interior live oak is monoecious. Male flowers are borne in catkins 1 to 3 inches (2-5 cm) in length, whereas female flowers grow in clusters of two to four in the upper leaf axils [15]. The tan, often longitudinally striped acorns are slender, cylindrical to conical, with a turbinate cap [40]. The shrubby variety frutescens is characterized by stiff, rigid twigs and ovate or oblong leaves 0.8 to 1.6 inches (2.0-4.1 cm) in length [40,56]. Acorns are oblong-to-ovate and the cup is covered with thin brown scales [56]. RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : Phanerophyte REGENERATION PROCESSES : Interior live oak regenerates vegetatively after disturbance and also reproduces through seed. Both modes of regeneration appear to be important, although the relative value of each depends on such factors as weather, seed disseminators, soils, and the type and intensity of disturbance. Seed: Mature acorns of interior live oak are slender, oblong to ovate, or pointed [15,40,47]. Cleaned acorns average approximately 125 per pound (275/kg). Annual seed production appears to be somewhat variable, although each interior live oak tree generally produces good seed crops at 5- to 7-year intervals [43]. The dry weight yields of fallen acorns in interior live oak stands range from 0 to 97 pounds per acre (0-109 kg/ha) [66]. Interior live oak produces an average of 958 pounds per acre (1,074 kg/ha) of tree canopy in good mast years but averages only 113 pounds per acre (614 kg/ha) in poor mast years [37]. Germination: Ripening time varies according to annual growing conditions and elevation [35,46]. Viable acorns have been picked as early as August 10, although these acorns did not germinate without prior stratification. Acorns collected 2 to 4 weeks later germinated without any additional treatment [46]. Germination is frequently delayed at higher elevations. It commonly occurs during late November through January at lower elevations but often does not take place until January or February at higher elevations [35]. Research indicates that the acorns of interior live oak can germinate without exposure to low temperatures [13,35]. However, exposure to temperatures of 32 to 41 degrees F (0-5 degrees C) can effectively stratify seed and enhance germination [13,16]. Results of germination tests are as follows [43]: cold stratification temperature F duration germination (days) day night (days) capacity (%) 30 to 60 86 68 69 75 In laboratory tests, 50 percent of all acorns germinated within 40 days after exposure to temperatures of 55 to 68 degrees F (13-20 degrees C) without prior stratification [35]. Acorns are not noted for long viability. Some acorns of interior live oak germinate after 6 to 12 months of storage, but many exhibit damage or deformity [46]. Seed dispersal and mortality: Gravity and animal vectors aid in the dispersal of interior live oak. Squirrels and jays appear to be particularly important dispersal agents, although they consume many acorns. Acorns are vulnerable to predation and nearly 100 percent of the acorns may be consumed where deer, pigs, or bear occur [3]. Acorns are also susceptible to rot, insects, and disease. Mortality of planted interior live oak acorns ranged from 2 to 27 percent under carefully controlled laboratory experiments [35]. Vegetative regeneration: Interior live oak sprouts vigorously after fire or mechanical disturbance [15,22,44]. Root crown sprouting frequently occurs after damage to the trunk or crown [47]. Stump-sprouting is also common after fire or timber harvest [10,15]. Sprout growth of interior live oak is described as "moderate at best" [P. McDonald, pers. comm. 1990]. SITE CHARACTERISTICS : Interior live oak most commonly grows scattered in valleys, foothills, or on slopes at low to middle elevations [35,40]. It is often found in canyon bottoms and dry washes of southern California [48] and on broad alluvial banks of rivers in the Sierra Nevada [47]. Elevation: Generalized elevational ranges of interior live oak are as follows [35,47]: from 1,000 to 2,000 feet (300-600 m) in northern CA up to 6,200 feet (1,300 m) in southern CA from 3,950 to 4,950 feet (1,200-1,500 m) in Sierra Nevada, CA from 200 to 1,950 feet (60-600 m) in Santa Lucia Mtns., CA Soils: California oaks generally grow well on a variety of soils including well-drained, fine-grained to cobbly or gravelly sandy loams, or skeletal soils. Soil pH generally ranges between 5.6 and 7.5, with common soil depths of 20 to 40 inches (50-100 cm) [48]. Interior live oak grows particularly well on dry, shallow, well-drained loams, clay loams, gravelly loams, or gravel [12,27,34,65]. SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : Interior live oak is tolerant of shade, particularly when young [47], and occurs within the understory of some climax conifer forests of California. Cooper [17] reported that the variety frutescens is especially common in climax chaparral communities which are maintained by fire. Interior live oak is a prolific sprouter and can also assume prominence in some early seral communities. SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : Interior live oak flowers from March to May [40]. Acorns mature in the second year [12]. Ripening time varies annually and depends largely on elevation and growing conditions. Acorns generally ripen after mid-August [46]. Immature acorns of live oaks which are poorly developed, or which have been damaged by rain, hail, wind, or insects may begin to fall as early as May [35]. Mature acorns are dispersed in late summer or fall.

Related categories for Species: Quercus wislizenii | Interior Live Oak

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Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

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