APPEARANCE

The garry oak is a deciduous tree with large craggy branches. It grows to 25 metres tall and has shiny, green leaves and light grey bark with thick ridges.

RANGE & HABITAT

The garry oak is found along the west coast of North America from southern B.C. to mid California. It is the only native oak growing in B.C. (it is leftover from before the Ice Age). It is common on open and dry sites, and forms a special meadow ecosystem with camas, shooting star, arbutus and other plants. In B.C. this plant is found in the Georgia Depression ecoprovince.

LIFE CYCLE

The garry oak is a slow growing tree. The leaves of the oak turn dull yellow or brown in fall and produce small acorns.

ANIMAL USES

Birds, small mammals and insects use the garry oak as their home.

TRADITIONAL USES BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The garry oak is used for its wood to make fires, digging sticks and combs. Its acorns can be roasted or steamed for food.

Visit this online interactive learning tool, Seeing Through Watchers’ Eyes, to learn the SENĆOŦEN name and other stories about this being! We recommend a desktop computer or laptop for ideal viewing. 

• Simply open the link here: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/watcherseyes/ 
• Scroll down to the Prezi 
• Click “present” 
• And move your cursor to point 84 along the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen 

 

OTHER USES

The wood is used for wood crafts (bowls, etc.).

STATUS

COSEWIC: Not Listed
CDC: Yellow

MORE INFORMATION

www.for.gov.bc.ca

Photo: Sound Waters Stewards