Coast live oak is native to California and Baja. This beautiful drought-resistant, evergreen tree, ranges in height from 20 to 70 feet and in diameter from 1 to 4 feet. The bark of young trees is smooth. With age, it develops deep furrows, ridges, and a thick bark. The inner bark and cork layers are thick. Open-grown crowns are broad and dense, with foliage often reaching the ground. In open areas trunks are usually 4 to 8 feet tall; at this height, primary branches originate and grow horizontally. Trees in dense stands generally have irregular crowns and few lower branches.

Coast live oak occurs in a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Coast live oak begins flower and fruit production during stem elongation in the spring. Flowering of coast live oak is triggered by warm temperature. In late spring new growth emerges and sheds all the foliage at the same time.

Pickup of plant purchases will be arranged on scheduled dates at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden