Different Kinds of Live Oak

Live Oak species are not easy to distinguish, because they hybridize, and have surprisingly variable leaves. Here are some starting observations, but you’ll find a lot of variation in the field.

Evergreen Leaves

Grows to full-size tree

Leaves somewhat shiny below, and not much paler than upper side.

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) – prefers wetter, lower areas than Interior Live Oak. Tends to be found near the coast. Leaf often curved over. Ida Geary says Coast Live Oak have no more than 5 veins. Associates with Bay Laurel.

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni)– drier, higher, exposed areas, leaf flatter. 6-9 veins. AKA Chaparral Oak.

Leaves much paler below

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis) – often spiny-tipped. Young leaves with gold fuzz beneath. Grows to full size tree.

Leaves much longer than wide, many veins each ending in a point.

Tanbark Oak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) – this is technically not an oak, but it looks like one. Easy to distinguish because of the many-veined leaf. Young leaves can have gold fuzz beneath.

Shrub rather than tree

Note, the full-size trees above can also grow as shrubs in dry or difficult conditions. However, the following will always be shrubs:

Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia) – shrub rather than tree. Leaves flat or undulating. Shale or sandstone ridges.

Leather Oak (Quercus durata var durata) – Leaves curved over, often touching the bottom of the leaf. Mostly on serpentine.