There are several possibilities. One way to rule out a few species is to determine if the oaks you are referring to lose their leaves in the winter (deciduous), or if they are evergreen. There is only one deciduous oak in California with spike-edged leaves: The BLACK OAK. Black Oaks have leaves that are lobed (a bit like how a glove is different than a mitten, they sort of have fingers). If they are evergreen (leaves remain on tree throughout the year), then most likely either they are a LIVE OAK -- either the INTERIOR Live Oak, or the COAST Live Oak. (Yes, there are the Coast type in Calaveras County & throughout the Gold Country). Leaves of the Interior Live Oak are shiny on BOTH sides, while the Coast leaf has a DULL surface on the UNDERSIDE. Another note: many types will hybridize with each other, just to make things even more difficult for us to identify!. This channel seems to have more videos on different California oak trees. Check them out!
Wow, very interesting and informative 🤩👍🏼 thank you for sharing
Thank you for the information. I'm trying to identify the oaks on my property, I live in San Andreas, Ca. My leaves have spikes on the ends.
Possibly another oak then. Please send pics.
Sounds like California black oak. Those usually grow up in the mountains.
There are several possibilities. One way to rule out a few species is to determine if the oaks you are referring to lose their leaves in the winter (deciduous), or if they are evergreen.
There is only one deciduous oak in California with spike-edged leaves: The BLACK OAK. Black Oaks have leaves that are lobed (a bit like how a glove is different than a mitten, they sort of have fingers).
If they are evergreen (leaves remain on tree throughout the year), then most likely either they are a LIVE OAK -- either the INTERIOR Live Oak, or the COAST Live Oak. (Yes, there are the Coast type in Calaveras County & throughout the Gold Country). Leaves of the Interior Live Oak are shiny on BOTH sides, while the Coast leaf has a DULL surface on the UNDERSIDE.
Another note: many types will hybridize with each other, just to make things even more difficult for us to identify!.
This channel seems to have more videos on different California oak trees. Check them out!