Local Verdict
"The toughest oak for the hottest, driest rocky slopes. Its bluish-green foliage is a hallmark of the Sierra foothills."
Overview
If you have a hot, rocky, south-facing slope where nothing else survives, the Blue Oak is your answer. Named for the blue-green tint of its leaves, this tree is perfectly adapted to the long, drought-stressed summers of the foothills.
Unlike the Valley Oak, the Blue Oak is modest in size and extremely slow-growing, investing all its energy into a root system that can crack bedrock to find moisture.
Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
None once established
Soil Type
Rocky, poor, shallow
Elevation
500 - 3,500 ft
Care Cheat Sheet
- 01.
Zero Summer Water: Mature trees should never be watered in summer; it invites deadly fungi.
- 02.
Protect Seedlings: Use wire cages to protect young saplings from deer and cattle grazing.
- 03.
Patience Required: Growth is measured in inches per year; plant for the next generation.
Related Plants
Special Notes
- • Extremely drought tolerant; may drop leaves early in severe drought years (drought deciduous).