BLACK OAK Quercus kelloggii

By Anna Van Zuuk General Information

Family: Fagaceae, The Oak Family Genus: Quercus Species: kelloggii

Origin: native to the western United States (CA,OR)

Grows in slopes, valleys, woodlands, and coniferous forests Tree <25m Leaves: early deciduous, small stipules, upper surface glabrous and bright green, lower surface finely tomentose to glabrous and pale green Bark: dark grey‐brown or black, deeply furrowed or checkered Flowers: monoecious, male catkins bourn on ends of branches, TINY! Stipule

Leaf blade widely elliptic or obovate

+/- 6 deep lobes with 1-4 sub-lobes

Prominent midvein

Acute, bristled tip (pointy) ACORNS

Identification: scales of the involucre (cup) are thin, acorn shell is wooly inside Fruit matures in 1‐2 years Native American Uses

Acorn meal –nuts are naturally sweeter so they require less leaching of tannins than other species Bark used as fuel for parching seeds (burns long and slowly without a flame) and a dye Awls, necklaces, musical instruments, toys, and trade items made from the acorns Uses contd.

Wood is still prized and is used to make furniture Trees provide cooling shade in summer Many wildlife species rely on acorns as a dietary staple – they are available during winter when other food is scarce. Eaten by black bear, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, elk, etc. Acorns are delicious in cookies Acorn Roca Bars from Edible and Useful Plants of California

1 cup butter or margarine ½ tsp. salt 1 cup brown sugar ¾ cup finely chopped, leached acorns 1 egg 12 oz milk chocolate or semi‐sweet chocolate 1 tsp. vanilla pieces 2 cups flour ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350⁰ (mod.). Cream together butter or margarine and brown sugar. Blend in egg and vanilla. Add flour and salt. Stir in ½cup acorns and spread the thick mixture in an ungreased 10x15‐in pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and spread milk chocolate or semi‐sweet chocolate pieces over the cookie mixture, smoothing as it melts. Mix together ¼cup acorns and coconut and sprinkle this on top of the melted chocolate. Cut and cool. Recipes for walnuts and hazelnuts may also employ acorns. PROBLEMS

Hybridizes with Quercus agrifolia and Quercus wislizenii Pollen causes allergies Leaves can be messy Doesn’t do well in urban settings. It needs cold in winter and not a lot of water in summer. Why I LOVE this tree…

Since the tree is a hardwood it makes a great fuel (burns hot for a long time)

Beautiful fall color and a wonderful spring green

Endless hours of fun! References Early Uses of California Plants by Edward K. Balls Edible and Useful Plants of California by Charlotte Bringle Clarke How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine, and Crafts by Frances Densmore The Jepson Manual