12 



UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT STATION. 

 BLACK OAK (Quercus calif or nica). 



The Black Oak is a tree 18 to 30 feet high, usually with several large erect 

 branches. It is generally found near coniferous trees, and apparently 

 occupying the same belt. Young trees often occur in dense growth, and, 

 when in this condition or when overshadowed by other trees, grow slowly, 

 thus enabling stock to browse on them. The leaves of young trees are 

 covered with a dense gray tomentum below, and are pubescent above. 

 On older trees the leaves are glabrous with little tomentum. They vary 



PLATE VIII. QUERCUS GABRYANA. (MOUNTAIN WHITE OAK.) 



from oblong to broadly ovate in outline, and each is parted into about 

 seven broad lobes. The nut is broadly ovate, one inch in length, and 

 ripens in the second season. The crop is scanty and unreliable. 



The range of the Black Oak extends from the Mackenzie River in 

 Oregon through the Coast Ranges and Sierra, and through the San 

 Bernardino Mountains to Lower California. This oak often reaches 

 elevations of 7,000 to 8,000 feet. It is scarce near the coast. 



The flexible texture of the leaves of this oak allows it to be easily 

 eaten by cattle and horses as well as by sheep and goats. 



