Oaks

This Oak is est. at 250 yrs old

Among California's treasures are the native Oaks. They are wise old souls of the hot, dry summers here. They are such a part of the Southern California Landscape, it's easy to take them for granted.
Anyone lucky enough to have a mature Oak Tree on their property needs to be aware that not everything plays well with Oaks. One needs to choose companion plants carefully. Ones that don't need summer water and that don't succumb to Oak Root Fungus are preferred.












Often Oaks are seen in Summer and Fall with dry, brown grasses covering the ground underneath them, or their natural mulch of small stiff leaves and acorns.
These are Coast Live Oaks, Quercus agrifolia.








Good understory companions include:

Arctostaphylus
Carex
Ceanothus
Eriogonum
Rhamnus
Salvia
Zauschneria





Looking up into the branches of an old oak, I almost expect to see fairies! They have such a magical and powerful presence. These Oaks are located in Descanso Gardens. Another one of my favorite places to be surrounded by Oaks? Topanga Canyon State Park. There's really nothing else like being among the Oaks!