Valley oak - Quercus lobata

One of the most impressive trees in Sunnyvale is the huge valley oak below located in Murphy Park. According to Wikipedia, in 1792, the English explorer George Vancouver noted on his expedition through the Santa Clara Valley, after seeing an expanse of valley oaks: "For about twenty miles it could only be compared to a park which had originally been closely planted with the true old English oak; the underwood, that had probably attended its early growth, had the appearance of having been cleared away and left the stately lords of the forest in complete possession of the soil which was covered with luxuriant foliage."



Murphy Park, E. California Ave, 260 N. Sunnyvale, CA


Valley oaks (Quercus lobata) are endemic to California and are the largest of the North American oak trees. Mature trees may grow to 600 years old. 

Valley oak leaves are 2–4" long, roundly-shaped and deeply lobed. The leaf width is approximately one half its length. The top of the leaves are matte green color. The underneath are pale green. The leaves are covered with abundant soft fuzz.


Where to find it: The tree above is in the parking lot of Murphy Park, 260 N. Sunnyvale Ave. 


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