Coast Live Oak

[Anonymous]

why is the coast live oak as well as the canyon live oak and the interior coast live oak, etc. referred to as a 'live' oak? </p>

[Anonymous]

Hi -

As near as I can tell, 'live oak' is an old common name for any oak that is evergreen - that is, a species that does not shed its leaves in autumn.

I can only guess that people thought deciduous oaks, while bare of leaves in winter, looked dead. A more realistic common name would be 'evergreen oak' but old habits die hard.

Cheers,

Lori</p>