| British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide |
GARRY
OAK
quercus garryana
- The
Garry Oak is also known as Oregon White Oak, Garry's
Oak, Post Oak, White Oak
- According
to legend, carrying an acorn from the Garry Oak
would help preserve a youthful appearance
- Oaks
were sacred to the god of thunder
- The
Garry Oak was named for Nicholas Garry of the Hudson's
Bay Company
- The
Latin for oak is 'quercus'
UNIQUE
FEATURES:
- The
Garry Oak is the only native oak in British Columbia
- The
Garry Oak is slow growing
- Leaves
turn brown in the fall so are not particularly
colourful like other oaks
- Many
birds, small mammals and insects use the oak as
their home
LOCATION:
- The
Garry Oak is found on southeastern Vancouver Island
and the Gulf Islands
- The
Garry Oak grows in isolated areas in the lower
Fraser Valley
- in
open parkland and meadows
SIZE:
- The
Garry Oak grows up to 20 metres in height
FRUIT:
- small
(3 cm long), sweetish acorns with a shallow, scaly
cup
LEAVES:
- glossy,
bright green on the upper side
- the
under side has red to yellow hairs and is paler
in colour
- 5
to 7 deep lobes
- gall
wasps often cause bumps on the leaves
BARK:
- thin,
greyish-black
- scaly
with shallow grooves and broad ridges
WOOD
CHARACTERISTICS:
- beautiful
grain, difficult to season without warping
USES:
- traditional
- wood: combs, digging sticks, fuel; acorns: roasted
or steamed for food
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