Oregon white oak
Quercus garryana
Anchors the oak prairies of the Pacific Northwest.
Hardiness: zones 6 to 9
Light: full sun
Size: about 60 ft tall, 50 ft wide
From: Pacific coast
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: wildlife, butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Native to: Pacific Northwest, California, Western Canada. Hardy in zones 6 to 9.
The story
Oregon white oak, or Garry oak, once stood over open prairies from British Columbia to California that Indigenous peoples kept clear with fire to grow camas and other foods. Less than five percent of that oak prairie is left.
Planting
Full sun and well-drained soil. It takes summer drought and winter wet. Plant small, in fall.
Growing
Water through the first couple of summers, then let the dry season be dry. Keep faster trees from shading it out.
Harvest and use
Acorns for jays, deer and woodpeckers, and a broad crown of mossy limbs. A piece of a rare habitat in your yard.
What to watch for
Slow. Conifers will overtop it if you let them.
See if Oregon white oak fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home