Performance of oaks, both existing and test-planted, as determined by former Apple Senior Arborist Dave Muffly. Please see www.oaktopia.org for more information on and photographs of many of the trees listed below.
Quercus cerris, summer foliage. Photo: courtesy of Oaktopia.org
Superior Performance
Quercus agrifolia - the most common native tree by far, but narrowly adapted endemic species vulnerable to climate disruption
Q. castaneifolia - potent, large oaks that need to be selected for growth habit and clean winter leaf drop
Q. cerris - selected for aphid-resistant taxa and clean winter leaf drop
Q. engelmannii - consistent performance of species and taxa, moderate size, generally upright growth, climate change adaptive replacement for both Q. agrifolia and locally-faltering Q. douglasii
Q. lobata - must be nursery selected for powdery mildew resistance and growth habit in nursery
Q. macrocarpa - close relative to Q. lobata, must be selected for powdery mildew resistance, bewildering array of taxa
Q. trojana - smaller, highly drought resistant oak with upright growth habit, but can make large aco...
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Voices of the West; New Science on Life in the Garden by Frederique Lavoipierre
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