Oregon Oak, Oregon white oak, Garry oak, Western oak
Quercus garryana
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows to 20 m high. The trunk is 150 cm across. The leaves are thick and stiff. They are 7-10 cm long. There are 5-7 lobes. These are rounded and have deep notches. The upper surface is shiny green and dull green underneath. The stalk is 1-3 cm long. The acorns are 25-30 mm long. They can occur singly or in pairs. The stalks are 1-3 cm long.
There are about 600 Quercus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on dry rocky ground. It will also grow on coastal sites as long as it is not affected by tidal flooding. It cannot tolerate shade. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The acorns need to be leached to remove the tannin then roasted and ground to flour for use in cakes, breads and muffins. It is also used as a thickener for sauces and soups.
Edible parts
Seeds, nuts
How it is grown
It is a slow growing tree. It grows for 200 years.