Absolutely gorgeous orange, red, and brown fall colors which stand out strikingly in the montane chaparral landscape.
Some of the first Quercus garryana semota growing right off the PCT going southward from N2. However, some of the Q. berberidifolia around and before (i.e., further downhill from) them might be showing signs of introgression from Q. garryana semota.
Pics of mature trees, front and back side of a leaf, an acorn cap, two seemingly healthy acorns found in the brush underneath, and a 3-5 yr old seedling (last two photos). Notably, the acorn caps were quite large, only second largest to canyon live oak out of the oaks in the general vicinity.
Associated plants nearby include Pinus sabiniana, California buckeye, Q. berberidifolia, Q. x howellii, chaparral whitethorn, Q. wislizeni var. frutescens, California buckwheat, and Keckiella ternata.
A beautiful tree, very sad to see someone took a hatchet to its trunk recently.