Oregon white oak is the only native oak species in British Columbia, Washington, and northern Oregon
Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) is a magnificent tree historically prevalent in the Willamette Valley, including areas in the Molalla and Rock Creek Watersheds.
Since 1850, only 10% of Willamette Valley oak woodland, savanna, and prairie habitats remain. The majority of this remaining oak habitat is in private ownership.
If you have oak on your property, you may not realize the special habitat you possess!
Oak Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS)
Oregon white oak and camus are both highly valued native plants in Oregon.
Oak-associated habitats are part of our shared cultural heritage and support hundreds of plant, insect, and wildlife species. To help restore this important habitat, the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) .
This strategy will help private landowners restore, enhance, and manage existing oak habitat in areas of Clackamas County where this declining habitat was historically prominent.
The District may be able to provide technical assistance to Clackamas County landowners to help them restore or improve the oak populations on their property.
Funding is available for rural properties in the Molalla River and Rock Creek Watersheds of Clackamas County to help with enhancing Oregon white oak woodlands, savannas, and associated prairies. This targeted region includes Canby, Barlow, Macksburg, Mulino, Molalla, Needy, Yoder, Marquam and Wilhoit areas.
If You Have Oregon White Oak Trees and . . .
- Are concerned about the health of the oak trees because they are:
- Being over-topped by Douglas-fir or other faster growing tree species
- Being overtaken by invasive species, for example: Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, English ivy, English hawthorn, bird cherry or English holly
- Would like to plant more oak trees and/or associated native plant species on your property
- Would like to enhance the oak habitat on your property to provide for wildlife and/or pollinators
. . . our technical staff may be able to help!
Oak Friendly Native Plants
Red-flowering currant is an oak-associated native plant.
There are many flowering shrubs associated with Oregon white oak habitats. These include oceanspray, mock orange, red-flowering currant, and blue elderberry. Our very own Oregon state flower, tall Oregon grape, is an oak-associated plant!
Additionally there are many beautiful wildflowers that are also found in oak savannas and prairies. These include camas, columbine, and goldenrod. The flowering and fruiting plant species associated with oak trees provide excellent food sources for pollinators and wildlife.
Oak White Oak Habitat Supports Wildlife and Pollinators
Over 200 wildlife species and hundreds of insects species, including many pollinator species, are associated with Oregon white oak.
The Western Meadowlark is an Oregon white oak associated bird (and our state bird!).
Acorns, leaves from the oak trees, and the many invertebrates that make their homes in oak trees, provide rich food resources for wildlife. Additionally, these trees provide excellent nesting, roosting, resting, perching, and denning sites for wildlife species such as raptors, woodpeckers, owls, songbirds, deer squirrels, shrews, snakes, salamanders, and frogs.
The Oregon state bird, the western meadowlark, is also associated with Oregon white oak savanna! Some of the species associated with Oregon white oak are imperiled, including the western gray squirrel and slender-billed nuthatch.
For more information, take a look at this informative Oakscaping Guide:
We’re Here to Help!
If you are interested in technical assistance for your oak property, we can help! Possible funding assistance from NRCS to enhance the oak on your property is limited to certain areas within the county.
For more information please contact Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District at 503-210-6000 or email Conservation Planning Program Manager Jenne Reische.
