Gary Oak aka Oregon White Oak

Description:

Bark is light grey with thick furrows and ridges. Leaves are alternate and deeply rounded-lobed 'oak leaves' up to 12 cm long and shiny dark green on top, hairy below. They turn yellow-brown in fall. Flowers are inconspicuous, male flowers are hanging catkins, female flowers are in small clusters and appear with leaves. Fruit are acorns 2-3 cm long in rough-surfaced cups. They are sweet and edible.

Habitat:

Dry and rocky slopes or bluffs at low elevations. I see it in prairies a lot and I always think of camas when I think of Gary oaks.

Notes:

I am overjoyed that one of these super cool trees chose to seed and sprout on my property. I do not currently have any full grown oaks on the property; this will be our first if it is able to mature. I just can't contain my excitement!