Quercus berberidifolia - Common Bonsai,Hardwood - Scrub Oak Page

The California Scrub Oak, also known as Quercus berberidifolia, is a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubby oak that is native to the scrubby hills of California. The plant has sharply toothed, dull green leaves that are leathery on the top surface and somewhat hairy underneath. The tree usually grows to 1-2 meters tall, but in warm or sheltered areas, it can grow to several meters high. The brown acorns are pointed or egg-shaped with thin caps when mature and grow to 1-3 cm long and 1-2 cm broad. Scrub oak is a common member of chaparral ecosystems and a preferred habitat are arid slopes, where it often dominates McNab cypress stands. The plant is drought-resistant, with deep roots that tap groundwater. The word chaparral is derived from the Spanish word for scrub oak, chaparro. In cooler, more exposed regions, scrub oak is usually a small, compact shrub, but in warmer, sheltered areas, the plant can spread out and grow several meters high. Hybridization with other species is also possible.