The largest of the North American oaks, Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) — also known as California White Oak — is a majestic tree endemic to California, where it grows throughout the state in hot interior valleys and foothills. Spectacular statuesque individuals, some living to 600 years of age and attaining heights in excess of 130 feet, can be seen widely scattered across expanses of grassy savannas in interior California.
Valley Oak is a deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves and thick, heavily-ridged, pewter-colored alligator hide bark, covering a very sturdy, very thick trunk, sometimes reaching upwards of 9 feet in circumference. The Valley Oak’s branches have an irregular, spreading and arching appearance. Leaves turn from matte green (pale gray-green beneath) to yellow and orange before dropping in the fall. Foliage is aromatic and covered with abundant soft fuzz, giving them a velvety feel.
Valley Oak tolerates cool wet winters and hot dry summers, but requires abundant water. It is considered a fast grower among oaks, and the tree’s acorns have historically been an important food source for both animals and Native Americans.
About Jonsteen's Seedlings
All of our trees are seed-grown at our nursery on California's Redwood Coast, which is inspected monthly and licensed by the California Department of Agriculture. Trees can provide a natural barrier against high winds, temperatures, noise pollution and soil erosion, all while benefiting local air quality, wildlife and property values — a Jonsteen seedling will only grow in value and beauty!
About Jonsteen's 100% Guarantee
All of our trees are guaranteed to arrive healthy and in good condition. If your tree perishes despite your honest efforts, we will be happy to replace it with a small-sized seedling for just the cost of shipping/handling. You can learn more about our guarantee and tree replacement policy here.
Seedling Size Chart: Medium
Due to the dynamic nature of actively growing trees, as well as the tremendous variation between species’ growth rates, we rely on the cubic volume of a seedling’s root mass to determine its “size” (Small / Medium / Large / XL). Within each size there is minor variance — the dimensions provided here represent the category minimum. If exact measurements are essential, please contact us about current stock.
