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Whittier Narrows

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  • Coast Live Oak

     

    Coast Live oak (Quercus agrifolia) is a stately evergreen that can grow up to 80 feet or more if allowed to.  The leaves are on the small side, with spiny toothed margins. the different species of aks are a recognizable symbol for the Southwest.  Characteristic acorns of the live oak are also on the small side. They were a food staple for  many native cultural groups.  Europeans used oaks to make charcoal and for specific aspects of ship building.  The clearing up of woodland for building towns and cities caused most of the deminishing of  numbers of these iconic trees. Different species can  hybridize.