Valley Oak

One of the largest oaks in North America, the valley oak (Quercus lobata) is a common deciduous tree found throughout the East Bay and often seen in residential areas. This area was once a vast oak woodland, inhabited by the Ohlone people for thousands of years. Eventually, the oaks are what Oakland was named for. The valley oak’s acorns were a significant food source for the Ohlone, and the tree itself is still an integral part of California’s ecology. It helps sequester carbon and serves as an air and water pollutant cleanser by absorbing fertilizer and pesticide chemicals.