What light conditions does Canyon Live Oak prefer?

Canyon Live Oak grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial sun and some light shade, often thriving on steep canyon walls and rocky slopes.

How much water does Canyon Live Oak need?

Once established, Canyon Live Oak needs little supplemental water and tolerates low to moderate soil moisture, reflecting its adaptation to dry, rocky terrain.

When does Canyon Live Oak bloom?

Canyon Live Oak blooms in April and May, producing small catkins that rely mostly on wind for pollination, though bees and wasps also visit the flowers.

Is Canyon Live Oak evergreen or deciduous?

Canyon Live Oak is evergreen, holding onto its thick, leathery leaves year round rather than dropping them each fall like many other oak species.

Is Canyon Live Oak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Canyon Live Oak as toxic to livestock.

Is Canyon Live Oak HOA-friendly?

Canyon Live Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Canyon Live Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus chrysolepis

Last reviewed: September 2026

Canyon Live Oak is an evergreen tree that grows well in full sun with low water needs, blooming in April and May across canyons, foothills, and rocky slopes of the western United States.

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Canyon Live Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

240"–720" H × 240"–600" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, NM, NV and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees, wasps

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Canyon live oak is a majestic, long-lived evergreen tree with distinctive golden scales on the underside of its leathery leaves. It grows slowly into a broad, rounded form with dense foliage that provides year-round shade. This drought-tolerant oak is well-suited for large landscape spaces where it can reach its full potential.

Growing Canyon Live Oak

Grow Canyon Live Oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 240 to 720 inches tall and spread 240 to 600 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Canyon Live Oak is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: backyard only, mid zone.

Extremely large mature size may overwhelm front yards
Acorn drop can create maintenance concerns
Slow growth means decades to reach mature form

Wildlife value

Host plant for California sister butterfly.

Canyon live oak provides significant habitat value, producing acorns that feed numerous wildlife species including birds, squirrels, and deer. Its spring flowers support native bees and wasps as important early-season pollinators.

Common questions

What light conditions does Canyon Live Oak prefer?: Canyon Live Oak grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial sun and some light shade, often thriving on steep canyon walls and rocky slopes.
How much water does Canyon Live Oak need?: Once established, Canyon Live Oak needs little supplemental water and tolerates low to moderate soil moisture, reflecting its adaptation to dry, rocky terrain.
When does Canyon Live Oak bloom?: Canyon Live Oak blooms in April and May, producing small catkins that rely mostly on wind for pollination, though bees and wasps also visit the flowers.
Is Canyon Live Oak evergreen or deciduous?: Canyon Live Oak is evergreen, holding onto its thick, leathery leaves year round rather than dropping them each fall like many other oak species.
Is Canyon Live Oak toxic to dogs?: Canyon Live Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Canyon Live Oak toxic to cats?: Canyon Live Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Canyon Live Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Canyon Live Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Canyon Live Oak HOA-friendly?: Canyon Live Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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