Coast live oak Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fagaceae family, native to California coast ranges and valleys. It grows 10–25 m (33–82 ft) tall and 10–25 m (33–82 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -9 °C (16 °F). Space plants about 12 m (39 ft) apart.
Plan Coast live oak in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Coast live oak at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fagaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 m (33–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–25 m (33–82 ft) |
| Spacing | 12 m (39 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -9 °C (16 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: acorns (after leaching) |
| Native to | California coast ranges and valleys |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Coast live oak toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: acorns, leaves
Tannins: stomach upset and possible kidney damage in dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Coast live oak
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Shared pests and diseases
- Phytophthora ramorum: Sudden oak death pathogen; rhododendron, viburnum, camellia and pieris spread it to oaks and larch. Evidence B
See Coast live oak in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
Questions about Coast live oak
- How far apart should I plant Coast live oak?
- About 12 m (39 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–25 m (33–82 ft).
- Does Coast live oak need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Coast live oak need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Coast live oak?
- It tolerates about -9 °C (16 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Coast live oak flower?
- From about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Coast live oak poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Tannins: stomach upset and possible kidney damage in dogs.
- What grows well with Coast live oak?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Coast live oak. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Plants of the national parks (Saguaro, Joshua Tree, Redwood), US National Park Service
Notes and assumptions
- Never water in summer near the trunk (oak root fungus); susceptible to sudden oak death.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sweet chestnut Castanea sativa
- English oak Quercus robur
- Southern live oak Quercus virginiana
- European beech Fagus sylvatica
- Holm oak Quercus ilex
- Cork oak Quercus suber
- Northern red oak Quercus rubra
- White oak Quercus alba