Black Oak Spring
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’m a sucker for color, so it’s not surprising that the black oak (Quercus kelloggii in western North America) has emerged as my favorite oak. Vibrant fall colors and tender red leaflets in spring make me gape in wonder. California black oak is the only deciduous tree in the red oak section, produces male and female flowers on a single tree, and can live up to 500 years. Black oaks are a critical for wildlife, providing acorns for food for many species, and also nesting areas for birds, squirrels and even black bears. Acorns constitute an average of 50% of the fall and winter diets of western gray squirrels and black-tailed deer during abundant acorn seasons, known as mast years. Fawn survival rates increase or decrease with the size of the acorn crop.
black oak in fall Native Americans used black oak to treat a wide variety of ailments and often prefered black oak acorns over those of other species for making acorn meal. Historically, Native Americans recognized the importance of fire to this oak and purposely lit fires in oak woodlands to promote its health and ensure their food source.
Photo: Oregon State Univ. developing acorns fall leaves
