Sierra live oak
Quercus wislizeni
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Sierra live oak (Quercus wislizeni) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
300"–600" H × 300"–480" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
CA
Pollinators
wind
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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A large, long-lived evergreen oak with a dense, rounded canopy of glossy, spiny-toothed leaves. Given room to mature, it becomes a stately shade tree with a classic broad oak silhouette.
Wildlife value
Host plant for California sister butterfly.
Oaks support more caterpillar species than almost any other native tree genus, and this species is a documented host for the California sister butterfly; its acorns also feed jays, squirrels, and other wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Sierra live oak need?
- Sierra live oak grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Sierra live oak bloom?
- Sierra live oak blooms in March and April.
- Where is Sierra live oak native?
- Sierra live oak (Quercus wislizeni) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Sierra live oak host?
- Sierra live oak is a larval host plant for California sister butterfly.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Sierra live oak? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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