The Channel Island Oak is a great little oak tree which should be planted more frequently here. Trees are evergreen, dark green in color, narrowly pyramidal when young, maturing to a broadly pyramidal to rounded canopy, 20-40' tall. Considered to be fast growing. Native to the Channel Islands.
Leaves are evergreen, alternately arranged, appearing whorled at the tips of the branches. Ranging 2 to 4" long they are elliptic to oblong-lanceolate shapped. Dark green and glossy on upper surface, tomentose underside when young, later just pale. Veins very prominate. Margins entire or with lightly spinded teeth. New foliage emerges almost white.
Twigs typically oak looking. Meaning grooved and having imbricately scaled pointed buds clustered at the tips.
Flowers, males in long catkins.
Acorns maturing the second year, 3/4-1-1/4" long with a cap covering 1/3 to 1/2 of the nut, cap lightly pubescent. Have not seen any.
Misidentification:
other oaks. Look for the distinct leaves, dark upper surface and almost whitish lower surface.
Location:
Aptos
527 Monterey Drive
