VEGETATION AND ENVIRONMENT IN CALIFORNIA 



235 



but on the contrary is relatively or actually deep. The species, 

 therefore, is well adjusted by the characteristic type of root 

 formation to grow where the zone of perennially moist soil can be 

 attained, or where otherwise the conditions of soil moisture, at a 

 considerable depth, are especially good. 



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Fig. 3. The Live oak, Qucrcus agrifolia, which often occurs where the water 

 table is so deep as to be beyond reach of the roots, so that this species develops an 

 extensive root-system within about 2 feet of the surface. In this situation the 

 "feeding" roots take advantage of the penetration of the rains, or of runoff from 

 higher ground, thus supplementing the more deeply penetrating portion of the 

 root-system, to which such water is in large part not accessible. 



It may be remarked that the dual type of root de\Tlopment, as 

 exhibited bj^ the Coast Live Oak, Q. agrifolia, and the Douglas 

 Oak are not exceptional among the California trees, although its 



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