Species (common name, Latin name)

'Tan Oak' FAGACEAE Lithocarpus densiflorus

Range

1. Pacific Coast of Oregon and California, hardy to Seattle.

Climate, elevation

1. Sea level to 1500 meters, Humid moist conditions

Local occurrence (where, how common)

1. Freeze of 1955 destroyed population in Seattle area

Habitat preferences

1. Moist slopes of coastal ranges

Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)

1. Sprouts can dominate quickly after a fire

Associated species

1. Pacific Madrone, Castanopsis chrysophylla, Quercus chrysolepsis, Q. kelloggii, Umbellularia californica, Psuedotsuga menziesii, Sequoia sempervirens, Abies concolor, Picea sitchensis, Pinus lambertiana, P. ponderosa, Torreya californica, Tsuga heterophylla.

May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)

1. Collect acorns

Collection restrictions or guidelines

1. Gather in fall, seeds produced every other year on mature (30-40yrs.) trees.

Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)

1. Stratify through winter > 0 degrees C.

Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)

1. Plant acorns point up, seedlings appear in three weeks.

Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)

1. Use appropriate methods to avoid root binding in containers, use well draining medium. Not found in clay soils.

Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)

1. Tree to 30 meters in garden with 10 meter crown. Attractive foliage, evergreen hardwood.

Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)

2. Keep moist

Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan

2. Seedlings slow growing, 2" per year. Lifespan > 250 years

Sources cited

1. WOODY NORTHWESTERN NATIVE PLANTS FOR URBAN LANDSCAPES: ORNAMENT AND RESTORATION IN THE NATIVE IDIOM. Center for Urban Horticulture, May 1994

2. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/lithocarpus/densiflorus.htm

Data compiled by (student name and date)

Rob Wines June 11, 2003