Description: Deciduous tree with broad, compact crown of stout tortuous branches; sometimes shrubby.

Height: 10-20m

Diameter: 0.3-0.8m

Leaves: 8-15 × 5-10 cm , elliptical, blunt or rounded at both ends; deeply lobed halfway or more towards midvein, with blunt or slightly toothed lobes; slightly thickened. Shiny dark green above, light green and usually pubescent below; sometimes turning red in autumn.

Bark: densely clothed in reddish-brown down on young shoots, aging light grey or whitish; thin; scaly or furrowed into broad ridges.

Fruit: acorns usually solitary, 2.5-3 cm long; elliptical; one quarter to one third enclosed by shallow, thin, scaly cup; stalkless; sweetish and edible.

Habitat: Valleys and mountain slopes, often in pure stands, or with other oaks. California plant communities Northern Oak Woodland (m20), Mixed Evergreen Forest (m19), Yellow Pine Forest (m14), Red Fir FOrest (m15), Chaparral (m23).

Range: SW British Columbia to central California in Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada; to 900m in the north, 300-1500m in the south.

The oak of greatest commercial importance in the west. It is the only native oak in Washington and British Columbia. The sweetish acorns, often common in alternate years, are relished by livestock and wildlife and were eaten by native peoples. Douglas named it after his friend, Nicholas Garry, of the Hudson's Bay Company, who assisted him greatly in his early journeys. The species bears a close resemblance to Britain's native oaks in shape of leaf and acorn, but is very distinct in the hairy shoots and large downy winter buds. It has many times been introduced to the UK, but never seems to reach any great size, evidently not being well adapted to our climate. Perhaps the biggest specimen is in Edinburgh botanic garden, planted 1924, and still only 8m.

Information: Audubon (1980), Bean III

Source: Mallet Court Nursery

Purchased: November 1993

Planted: Potted soon after arrival, since despite the high price of £11, it was supplied far too small to plant out successfully. Planted B15D on 1994.10.15, still small.

Progress: This tree is growing slowly, but has now emerged from the top of its tree shelter (and is about 0.8m at the end of 1998). We're hoping the fresh air will help, since in the damp 1998 summer, many of the leaves became mildewed. However, we're reluctant to remove the tree shelter yet, since the tree is still so small after five years, and in a vulnerable location. That situation continues in 2004, with the tree now 1.3m, and leaves very mildewed after another wet summer.

Back to Tree Index
Bibliography of the sources cited in the "Information" section.
Arboretum home page