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Description: Evergreen tree with short, stout trunk; many large, crooked, spreading branches; and broad, rounded crown; sometimes shrubby.Height: 30-80' (9-24 m).
Diameter: 1-3' (0.3-0.9 m) or more.
Leaves: evergreen; 3/4-2 1/2" (2-6 cm) long, 1/2-1 1/2" (1.2-4 cm) wide. Oblong or elliptical, short-pointed or rounded at both ends; with edges turned under and bearing spiny teeth; thick and leathery. Shiny dark green above, yellow-green and often hairy beneath.
Bark: dark brown, thick, deeply furrowed.
Acorns: 1-1 1/2" (2.5-4 cm) long; narrowly egg-shaped, 1/3 enclosed by deep, thin cup with many brownish, finely hairy scales outside and silky hairs inside; 1 or few together; stalkless; maturing first year.
Habitat: In valleys and on slopes, usually in open groves; often with Canyon Live Oak and California Black Oak.
Range: Coast Ranges mostly, central to S. California, including Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands; also N. Baja California; to about 3000' (914 m).
Discussion: This is the common oak of the California coast and foothills, forming parklike groves that often appear in the scenery of motion pictures made in Hollywood. The acorns were among those preferred by Indians; after removing the shells, they ground the seeds into meal, which was washed to remove the bitter taste, and boiled into mush or baked in ashes as bread.