Tree #5 Garry Oak

This is the only oak native to Canada… and only in the gulf Islands and the SE of Vancouver Island (and a bit in the lower Fraser Valley) it also grows in Washington , Oregon and Northern Califonia.   Surprise, the same places as the Arbutus and the Doug Fir!   They covered a bigger range in British Columbia before the last ice age.    Named by the Scottish botanist David Douglas (again) for Nicholas Garry of Hudson’s Bay Company who helped him during his travels in the early 1800s.     It’s becoming rarer as its habitat is disappearing.. it likes open meadow and some sun along with doug firs and lots of herbs and flowers including the important Camas plant eaten by the natives. I was given 3 small plants years ago to plant but they didn’t survive.    Maybe I'll try again with some acorns... These are in the clear area of the tumbolo near the boathouse, the only place near us to see them..      It’s a deciduous tree with glossy green leaves that turn dull orangey and brown in the fall (like now!).   It grows up to 60-70 feet with a round spreading crown, often in groups, like here.    Used for combs or digging sticks as well as fuel by the natives, they also ate the small acorns roasted or steamed,.    I also read they are considered sacred to the god of thunder and carrying a acorn preserved a youthful appearance…( is it too late to do this?)


They looked so beautiful and orange against the clear blue sky today!