Holly oak - Quercus ilex

Central and northern California is home to many oak trees. The most common oak tree in Sunnyvale is the Holly Oak (Quercus ilex).

Holly oaks are named because the small, dark green leaves resemble holly. Mature trees can grow to 70' tall. It is a very hard wood that can support a very large, dense canopy. They are originally from low elevations in the Mediterranean, so they are well-adapted to the climate in Santa Clara County (Zone 9b). In Europe it is often grown into a very dense hedge.

919 Kennard Way, Sunnyvale, CA

The leaves are very variable in shape. They are usually narrow oval or ovate-lanceolate*, 2"-3" long, 1" wide, rounded or broadly tapered at the base. The edges of the leaves are sometimes remotely toothed. Acorns are only 1/2" in diameter. 

* Lanceolate means it is shaped like a lance: it tapers from a rounded base to a pointed tip.




Where to find them: Holly oak are very common in Sunnyvale. Some examples of big populations of Holly oak include Longspur Ave, Kennard Way, Alberta Way, Prescott Ave and Lakemuir Dr.



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