Quercus vacciniifolia aka Huckleberry Oak

Quercus vacciniifolia, or huckleberry oak, is an evergreen shrub. It belongs to Fagaceae, the oak family. Its native range runs from southwestern Oregon into California and western Nevada. Kew places this species in the temperate climate zone. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The RHS also lists the synonym Quercus chrysolepis var. vacciniifolia. Despite its common name, this plant bears acorns, not berries.

This oak forms a dense shrub with a low habit. Its branches often lie close to the ground. Virginia Tech gives a height of up to 6 feet [1.8 metres]. The bark is thin and mostly smooth. Its colour falls between grey and brown. As the bark ages, small, tight scales may form. The slender twigs bend with ease. Young twigs have a covering of fine hairs. They lose this fuzz as they age and turn reddish brown. The buds have brown scales with hairy edges.

The leaves stay on the plant through the year. They grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each leaf is simple, rather than split into leaflets. Leaves reach about 0.125 feet [0.038 metres] long and feel leathery. Their shape ranges from oblong to elliptical, with a rounded base. Leaf edges vary from smooth to wavy or toothed. The upper surface is grey-green and may lack hairs. Some leaves have a light covering of hairs above. The lower surface is pale, with sparse hairs. A flattened leaf stalk joins each blade to the twig.

The small flowers draw little attention and appear in early summer. Each plant carries both male and female flowers. Male flowers grow in catkins. Female flowers appear alone or in short spikes. The fruit is an elongated acorn with a shallow cap. Scales cover the cap rather than forming a smooth surface. Virginia Tech describes acorns about 0.042 feet [0.013 metres] long. They need two growing seasons to reach maturity.

The supplied sources describe this oak's form more than its cultivation. They give no species-level guidance on soil, watering, or light. They also provide no hardiness range or garden spread. The evidence does not establish edible uses or safety. Nor does it identify pests, diseases, or specific landscape uses.