Key to Hastings Reservation Oaks
Jim Griffin, 9/22/1987

1. Leaves evergreen (at least 2 crops of leaves on twigs)

        Leaves green on lower surface, old bark dark gray
                    Leaves convex, undersides  with conspicuous vein, some tufts of
                    pubescence at midrib-vein intersection                  Q. agrifolia
                                                                                                  Coast Live Oak

                     Leaves flat, no pubescence on undersides            Q. wislizenii
                                                                                                  Interior Live Oak

        Leaves dull qreen to gray on lower surface, leaf margins smooth or
        toothed, old bark pale gray                                                Q. chrysolepis
                                                                                                 Canyon Live Oak

2. Leaves not evergreen (only 1 crop of leaves at a time)a

         Leaves less than 3 cm long, many leaves regain most of winter, old leaves
         fall off as new leaves come, large shrubs or small trees   Q. turbinella
                                                                                                  Desert Scrub Oak

          Leaves more than 3 cw long, leaves fall by early winter, small to
          large trees, mature individuals are never shrubs

                           Leaves deeply lobed. lobes with attenuated tips ending in distinct
                           bristles, bark dark gray                                 Q. kelloggii
                                                                                                Black Oak

                           Leaves with shallow to medium lobes, lobes usually with rounded tips
                           bristles if present are less obvious, bark white or pale gray

                                  Upper leaf surface green, lobes regularly lobed, rounded
                                  mature bark ridges deep, gray                 Q. lobata
                                                                                                  Valley Oak

                                   Upper leaf surface blue (from a wax that rubs off), lobes
                                   may be rounded, irregular, some leaves may be entire, great
                                   variability between trees, mature bark ridges shallow, very
                                   light gray to white                                 Q. douglasii
                                                                                                 Blue oak