How much sun does Tanoak need?

Tanoak grows best in part sun conditions.

Where is Tanoak native?

Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Tanoak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tanoak as toxic to livestock.

Is Tanoak HOA-friendly?

Tanoak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Tanoak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Notholithocarpus densiflorus

Last reviewed: October 2026

Toxicity unknown

Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) 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.

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

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

180"–600" H × 180"–360" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Tanoak is a large evergreen tree native to western forests. It produces fragrant white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, followed by acorns that mature over two years. This substantial tree provides year-round structure and screening with its dense, dark green foliage.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tanoak takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely large mature size (15-50 feet tall and wide)
Drops acorns and leaves requiring cleanup
May be considered too wild or rustic for formal landscapes

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination services. The acorns are an important food source for wildlife including birds, squirrels, and deer.

Common questions

How much sun does Tanoak need?: Tanoak grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Tanoak bloom?: Tanoak blooms in May and June.
Where is Tanoak native?: Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Tanoak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tanoak as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Tanoak attract?: Tanoak draws bees and beetles.
Is Tanoak HOA-friendly?: Tanoak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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