Quercus canbyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quercus canbyi |
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| Quercus canbyi x Q. xalapensis hybrid in Hackfalls Arboretum | |
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Quercus
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canbyi
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Quercus canbyi, also known as the Canby oak or Sierra oak, is a type of oak tree. It grows in North America. Sometimes, it is also called Quercus graciliformis.
Discovering the Canby Oak
The Canby oak was first officially described in 1924. This means a scientist named William Trelease gave it its scientific name. It belongs to a group of oaks called Quercus section Lobatae.
What Does the Canby Oak Look Like?
The Canby oak is a beautiful tree. It can be a semi-evergreen or evergreen tree. This means it keeps its leaves for most or all of the year.
In gardens, it usually grows up to 40–50 feet (12–15 metres) tall. But in the wild, especially in Mexico, it can reach 80 feet (24 metres)!
When it is young, the tree has a pyramid shape. As it gets older, its branches spread out more. It can grow to be 30–40 feet (9.1–12.2 metres) wide.
Leaves and Acorns
The leaves of the Canby oak are dark green and shiny. They are about 6–8 inches (15–20 centimetres) long. The edges of the leaves are serrated, which means they look like saw teeth. The stems that hold the leaves, called petioles, can sometimes look a bit reddish.
The tree blooms in March. Its acorns, which are the tree's seeds, appear in August.
Canby Oak vs. Gracilis Oak
For a while, some people thought Quercus canbyi and Quercus graciliformis were different trees. They looked at things like twig shape. They also noticed that Quercus canbyi produced acorns every two years (biennially). Quercus graciliformis seemed to make acorns every year (annually).
However, as of February 2023, many experts now agree they are the same tree. The website Plants of the World Online lists them as the same species.
Where Does the Canby Oak Grow?
You can find the Canby oak in two main places. It grows in the state of Texas in the United States. It is also found in the northeast part of Mexico.
Protecting the Canby Oak
Scientists check on plants to see if they are in danger. In 2016, the Canby oak (Quercus canbyi) was assessed for the IUCN Red List. It was listed as "least concern". This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
However, Quercus graciliformis, which is now considered the same tree, was assessed differently in 2016. It was listed as "critically endangered". This shows how important it is to keep studying and protecting these trees.
Growing Canby Oak Trees
The Canby oak is a good tree for gardens. It can grow well in most types of soil. People often plant it to create shade. Its wide spread makes it perfect for providing a cool spot on sunny days.
See also
In Spanish: Quercus canbyi para niños
