The Canyon Oak is also called the Goldencap Oak or Maul Oak and is one of two species of live oaks that grow in the Sierras. They are called live oaks because they do not drop their leaves annually like deciduous oaks and remain green year round. Although the two species are similar, they can be differentiated by acorn size and shape, presence or absence of hair on the undersurface of the leaf, elevation and habitat. Canyon live oak prefers deep canyons with steep walls while interior live oak prefers the hot, grassy slopes of the rolling foothills. Interior live oaks can be observed growing near stands of gray pine or blue oak. Canyon oaks grow taller when clinging precipitously to steep walls than when growing in the open landscape. They can form large dome-shaped crowns that may extend 125 feet. The wood of the tree is extremely tough and strong, three times sturdier than that of the Sequioa tree and was commonly used by settlers because of the dense wood.

This tree is near a place we lived when my kids were little. I would take them for walks to visit this tree often, my youngest in a stroller. It used to have a full canopy with many other trees growing all around. We called it our “family tree”. We all love this unique life form and I even made an artwork for my daughter in 2015 with this tree as the subject. The tree is still hanging on but is definitely feeling the stress of climate change. I had an emotional experience visiting this tree again, and realized what a monumental part it played in my young family’s life.

Description:

• Size: medium sized tree, 20-80 feet, sometimes much bigger

• Bark: light gray, slightly furrowed, sometimes smooth

• Leaves: thick and leathery, evergreen, holly-like, 1-3 inches long and about half as wide, often with two different types of leaves on the same tree

• Fruit: acorn, .75-2 inches long, variable in shape, with yellowish hairs or fuzz on the cup

The acorn caps are golden and fuzzy and just the best! They contrast the dark acorn and are an artwork in of themselves.

I recently went on a hike and was unprepared for the sun exposure and heat. I was saved by the glorious shade these Canyon Oaks provided me and will be forever grateful.”