Huckleberry oak, scientifically known as Quercus vacciniifolia, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that belongs to the oak family, Fagaceae. It is native to the western regions of North America, particularly found in the coastal mountain ranges of California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The name "huckleberry oak" is derived from its preference for growing in association with huckleberries in the wild.
This oak species typically reaches a height of about 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) and has a rounded crown with spreading branches. Its bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed. The leaves of the huckleberry oak are alternate, simple, and lobed, resembling the shape and margin of huckleberry leaves, hence the name. They are dark green in color with a glossy upper surface and a paler underside.
Huckleberry oak produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring, which are wind-pollinated. The tree bears acorns, its characteristic fruit, that have a shallow cap and mature within two years. These acorns are an important food source for various wildlife species, including birds and mammals.
Due to its attractive form and tolerance to a range of soil conditions, huckleberry oak is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and landscapes. Its presence in natural habitats contributes to the overall biodiversity of the region, providing food and habitat for numerous forms of wildlife.
