Susan C. Barro

Quercus chrysolepis, or canyon live oak (also known as gold-cup oak, laurel oak, or maul oak), occurs in a greater variety of habitats than any other California oak. It is present in forest, woodland, and chaparral areas on a large variety of parent materials and soil types. Canyon live oak extends from southwest Oregon to Baja California and east to Arizona over a broad elevational range. The species commonly occurs in narrow canyon bottoms, on steep side slopes and in sheltered coves. However, it is best developed in the canyons of the coast and transverse ranges.