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RESTORING OAK HABITATS IN

SOUTHERN OREGON & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

A GUIDE FOR PRIVATE LANDOWNERS

Version 1.0
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Recommended Citation

Klamath Bird Observatory and Lomakatsi Restoration Project. 2014. Restoring oak habitats in 

southern Oregon and northern California: a guide for private landowners. Rep. No. KBO-2014

-0005. Klamath Bird Observatory, Ashland, OR.

Cover photos: Oregon white oak by Mathew Cocking; Lewis’s woodpecker and white-breasted nuthatch by Jim Livaudais. Rich Fairbanks

California black oak leaves and flowers

Acknowledgements

Funding for this project came from the Medford District of the Bureau of Land 

Management, a Toyota TogetherGreen grant managed by Klamath Basin Audubon Society, 

and the Rural Schools and Community Development Act. Brandon Breen of Klamath Bird 

Observatory wrote content and Erin Linton provided layout. Jaime Stephens (Klamath Bird 

Observatory), Terry Fairbanks (Bureau of Land Management), Marko Bey (Lomakatsi 

Restoration Project), Mathew Cocking (Natural Resources Conservation Service), and 

Darrel Samuels (Klamath Basin Audubon Society) were instrumental in providing edits and 

guiding the development of this publication. John Alexander (Klamath Bird Observatory), 

Max Bennett (Oregon State University), Lyndia Hammer (Lomakatsi Restoration Project), 

Dave Ross (USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife), Ceci Dale-Cesmat (Natural Resources 

Conservation Service), and Kate Halstead (Klamath Bird Observatory) also made 

significant contributions of knowledge. Ellie Armstrong (Klamath Bird Observatory) and 

Kristen Kieffer created graphics for the guide. Finally, we are grateful to Klamath Siskiyou 

Oak Network and Natural Resources Conservation Service for their advancement of oak 

restoration knowledge and capacity. 
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Klamath Bird Observatory is a scientific non-profit organization that achieves bird 

conservation in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the migratory ranges of the birds 

of our region. We developed our award-winning conservation model in the ruggedly 

beautiful and wildlife-rich Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and 

northern California, and we now apply this model more broadly to care for our shared 

birds throughout their annual cycles. Emphasizing high caliber science and the role of 

birds as indicators of the health of the land, we specialize in cost-effective bird 

monitoring and research projects that improve natural resource management. Also, 

recognizing that conservation occurs across many fronts, we nurture a conservation 

ethic in our communities through our outreach and educational programs. We owe our 

success to committed donors, volunteers, staff, and conservation partners who 

demonstrate that each of us can contribute to a legacy of abundant bird populations and 

healthy land, air, and water. 

Bureau of Land Management sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of 

America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The 

BLM’s multiple-use mission, set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

of 1976, mandates that we manage public land resources for a variety of uses, such as 

energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting, while 

protecting a wide array of natural, cultural, and historical resources.

Lomakatsi Restoration Project is a non-profit, grassroots organization that develops 

and implements forest and watershed restoration projects in Oregon and northern 

California. Since 1995, Lomakatsi has a proven record of success implementing 

restoration projects across thousands of acres of forests and miles of streams. In 

cooperation with a broad range of partners including federal and state land management 

agencies, The Nature Conservancy, land trusts, private landowners, watershed councils, 

city and county governments, and Native American tribes, our work has set precedents 

on nationally recognized projects. Lomakatsi provides expertise and capacity in project 

development, planning, management, fine-scale ecological treatment design, 

monitoring, and implementation for ecosystem restoration projects. We integrate 

restoration practice with science delivery, education and workforce training. Lomakatsi 

coordinates closely with multiple funding partners and manages a diverse workforce in 

complex social settings supported by critical community outreach.

Klamath Basin Audubon Society provides opportunities for people of all ages to 

experience and appreciate our region's birds and other natural resources. We achieve 

this mission through educational programs, field trips, and grants that support worthy 

local or regional projects. 

USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program works to efficiently achieve 

voluntary habitat restoration on private lands, through financial and technical assistance, 

for the benefit of Federal Trust Species. 

Photographers and Affiliations

Brandon Breen, Klamath Bird Observatory; Eaman Engber; Jaime Stephens, Klamath Bird Observatory; Jena DeJuilio, 

Bureau of Land Management; Jim Conrad; Jim Livaudais; John Cymore, Lomakatsi Restoration Project; John Paul, 

Lomakatsi Restoration Project; Josh Budziak, Lomakatsi Restoration Project; Karen Hussey, Klamath Bird Observatory; 

Kate Halstead, Klamath Bird Observatory; Keith Perchemlides, The Nature Conservancy; Marko Bey, Lomakatsi 

Restoration Project; Mathew Cocking, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Rich Fairbanks.
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Helpful Terms

Annual plant—is a plant that lives for one year or less.

Conifer—are evergreen trees that bear cones and have needle-like or scale-like leaves, such as pines, firs, spruces, 

and cedars.

Controlled burn—refers to the controlled application of fire over a predetermined area to reduce wildland fuels and 

restore ecological health. These are also known as “broadcast burns” and “prescribed burns.”

Canopy cover—the extent to which the tree canopy intercepts light from hitting the ground (for example, a forest 

with 100% canopy cover would have no direct sunlight reaching the ground at midday).

Canopy crown—The crown of a tree or shrub is the totality of branches, leaves, and reproductive parts that extend 

outward from the main trunk.

dbh—is an abbreviation for “diameter at breast height,” which is a standard measure of tree size that is the diameter 

of the tree’s trunk at the height of 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) above the ground.

Downed wood—is wood found on the forest floor in various stages of decomposition.

Drip line—or drip zone, refers to the imaginary circle on the soil around a tree 

that falls directly below the tree’s outermost branches. All the rain water that 

drips off a tree would fall within this circle.

Forbs—are herbaceous (non-woody) plants other than grasses.

Girdle—refers to the process of cutting through the cambium and sapwood 

layers around the circumference of a tree stem to interrupt the flow of nutrients 

between the below- and above-ground portions of the tree, resulting in the death 

of the tree. See page 27 for a photo guide to girdling.

Granary trees—are trees that Acorn Woodpeckers use as storage sites for 

acorns.

Ladder fuels—are tall grasses, shrubs, and living or dead trees that allow ground fires to travel upwards into forest 

canopies.

Perennial plant—is a plant that lives for more than two years. An annual plant lives for one year, and a biennial plant 

lives for two years.

Radial thinning—is the removal of competing trees within a certain radius of a valuable tree.

Residual Dry Matter (RDM)—is a standard used for assessing the level of grazing on rangeland. RDM refers to the 

number of pounds per acre of old herbaceous plant material left on the ground at the start of a new growing season.

Snags—are standing dead trees, usually with hollow trunks or limbs.

Sprout clump thinning—refers to the practice of thinning stems that sprouted from the base of a single tree following 

disturbance or the cutting of the tree. Learn more about sprout clump thinning on page 26.

Sudden Oak Death—is a disease in oaks and other trees caused by the non-native pathogen Phythopthora ramorum. 

Oak species show varying susceptibility to the disease, and some oak populations have been devastated recently in 

California and Oregon. To learn more download the document listed at the bottom of page 19.

If you encounter an unfamiliar term in bold font in the text, return to this page for the definition.
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Table of Contents

Summary ................................................................... 6

Geographic Scope ......................................................... 7

The Value of Oak Habitats .............................................. 8

A History of Change and a Future of Possibility .................... 10

The Role of Private Landowners ...................................... 11

Oak Species of the Region 

Oregon White Oak .............................................. 12

Brewer’s Oak ................................................... 13

California Black Oak ........................................... 14

Valley Oak ...................................................... 15

Canyon Live Oak ............................................... 16

Tanoak ............................................................ 17

Landowner Worksheet: Considering Oaks on Your Land ......... 18

Desired Conditions 

Diverse Habitat Structures ..................................... 20

Large, Old Oak Trees ........................................... 22

Snags and Downed Wood ...................................... 28

Native Shrubs and Perennial Grasses ......................... 30

Frequent Low-intensity Fire .................................... 32

Grazing is Balanced ............................................. 36

What to Expect After Restoration ....................................... 37

What the Birds Tell Us ................................................... 37

A Landowner Success Story ............................................ 38

References ................................................................. 40

Appendix I: Plants and Animals in this Guide ........................ 43

Appendix II: Help with Your Restoration ............................. 44

Appendix III: Monitoring Birds on Your Land ....................... 45
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Summary

Private landowners own and manage roughly 60% of the land area of the United 

States. These private lands sustain native wildlife populations while also 

benefiting landowners and society. In the western United States, private lands 

are especially important for the conservation of oak habitats. These habitats have 

suffered heavy losses and most remaining oak habitats—those not converted for 

human use or harmed by encroaching vegetation as a result of fire suppression—

occur on private lands. An exciting opportunity exists for landowners and 

conservation partners to work together to restore native oak systems and their 

diverse wildlife communities. 

This landowner guide describes how to apply conservation practices for Oregon 

white oak and California black oak habitats on private lands in southern Oregon 

and northern California. The document first discusses the importance and history 

of oak habitats and then provides detailed conservation guidelines for oak habitat 

restoration. Also, the guide includes supplemental resources for the restorationminded private landowner, including a list of organizations that will assist with 

private lands restoration as well as step-by-step instructions for monitoring birds 

on your land to track the return of wildlife following oak restoration activities. Brandon Breen

A view through an oak woodland into the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon
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Geographic Scope

This landowner guide specifically 

refers to oak habitat in Josephine, 

Jackson, and Klamath Counties in 

Oregon, and Siskiyou County in 

California. Although this guide is 

intended for guidance in the 

aforementioned counties, some of 

the restoration principles and 

recommendations will be relevant 

to those who manage oak habitats 

outside of this region.

Land Manager’s Guide to Bird 

Habitat and Populations in Oak 

Ecosystems of the Pacific 

Northwest

Consider downloading this 

companion volume, written by Bob 

Altman of American Bird 

Conservancy and Jaime Stephens of 

Klamath Bird Observatory, as a 

reference and source of general 

information about oaks and 

associated birds in the Pacific 

Northwest. This guide provides 

information on bird species’ status, 

distribution, density, habitat 

relationships, and potential 

responses to oak habitat 

management or restoration activities. This information can be used to 

facilitate sound decisions to support bird conservation in the context of 

protection and management of the unique and threatened oak ecosystems of 

the Pacific Northwest. It is available for free download on the Klamath 

Bird Observatory website: 

www.klamathbird.org/resources/support-tools
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Oaks provide a diverse set of values to humans and 

wildlife. Oak-dominated landscapes are aesthetically 

pleasing—a characteristic that can lead to increased 

property values—and they are suitable for numerous 

recreational activities, such as hiking, photography, 

and wildlife-viewing. Oak systems provide firewood 

and grazing habitat, and timber is supplied by 

California black oak and tanoak, in particular. The 

presence of oaks on a landscape provides fire 

resilience because their thick bark and branch structure 

generally prevent ground fires from spreading to the 

forest crown.

Oak habitats are also among the richest wildlife 

habitats in Oregon and California. For example, 

studies reported over 200 vertebrate species in oak 

woodlands in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, and over 

330 species of vertebrates in oak woodlands in 

portions of California. Oak habitats are especially 

important because many of the species they harbor are 

not found in neighboring conifer-dominated 

landscapes.

A handful of characteristics help explain why oak trees 

are so important for wildlife. First, and foremost, is the 

production of acorns. Acorns can be produced in 

prolific numbers, and these energy-rich seeds provide 

nutrition at the base of the food chain; for example, 

many bird species rely heavily on acorns, including 

acorn woodpecker, western scrub jay, band-tailed 

pigeon, California quail, wild turkey, oak titmouse, 

and white-breasted nuthatch. Mammals such as 

western gray squirrels, Douglas squirrels, Columbian 

black-tailed deer, and American black bears also feed 

on acorns. See Appendix I: Plants and Animals in this 

Guide for a list of the scientific names of plants and 

animals mentioned in this document.

Mature oak trees often contain a mixture of living and 

dead tree limbs, and the dead limbs provide wildlife 

cavities for nesting and roosting. Many oak-associated 

bird species build their nests in cavities, including 

western bluebird, oak titmouse, house wren, blackcapped chickadee, and woodpeckers. Dead limbs also 

provide critical storage sites for acorn-caching acorn 

woodpeckers, as well as habitat for wildlife food items 

such as grubs and other insects. 

Oak trees and habitats are considered attractive by 

many people

Roosevelt elk and Oregon white oak

Band-tailed pigeon

Jim Livaudais Eamon Engber Kate Halstead

The Value of Oak Habitats
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Jim Livaudais

Ash-throated flycatcher

Oak trees and their associated shrubs and understories 

support unique insect communities that provide food to birds 

and other wildlife. Oak leaves provide browse for Columbian 

black-tailed deer and elk, and oak limbs provide perches for 

raptors and flycatchers. 

Many oaks also support Pacific mistletoe. This flowering, 

parasitic plant draws water and minerals from its host oak 

tree and produces berries important for many wildlife 

species, such as the western bluebird. 

Many reptiles and amphibians dwell in oak habitats, 

including Ensatina salamanders, northern red-legged frogs, 

ring-necked snakes, Pacific tree frogs, western skinks, sharptailed snake, Pacific gopher snake, northwestern garter snake, 

and western fence lizard. 

Throughout the year oaks provide habitat for birds and other 

wildlife. Resident species, such as bushtit, use oak habitats 

year-round, whereas many migratory birds, including ashthroated flycatcher and western wood-pewee, use the oak 

habitat during the breeding season (from May to late July). 

Lewis’s woodpecker, however, is a short-distance migrant 

that uses the habitat primarily during winter. Other migratory 

birds that breed farther north spend winters in oak habitats in 

southern Oregon and northern California, or they stop here 

on migration to rest and refuel before traveling to 

destinations farther south. Our oak habitats truly support rich 

communities of life in every season.

Pacific giant salamander in California 

black oak leaves

Mathew Cocking

Oak Habitats are Important for Birds

The State of the Birds 2013 Report on Private Lands 

highlights the considerable extent to which native bird 

populations in the United States depend on private lands. The 

report gives specific attention to the importance of private 

oak woodlands of the Pacific coast and showcases a publicprivate initiative in southern Oregon and northern 

California—the Central Umpqua-Mid Klamath Oak Habitat 

Conservation Project—that received the 2012 Department of 

the Interior Partners in Conservation Award and restored 

2,000 acres of oak habitat, benefiting oak titmouse, acorn 

woodpecker, and black-throated gray warbler. Two local conservation groups, Lomakatsi Restoration 

Project and Klamath Bird Observatory, have worked with private landowners to implement and 

monitor restoration oak projects. This restoration initiative was funded by the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative and the US Fish and Wildlife 

Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
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A History of Change and a Future of Possibility

Historically oaks were widespread throughout the valleys and foothills of California, Oregon, and 

Washington. Since the start of European settlement in the mid-1800s, California has lost 33% of its oak 

woodlands and estimates of regional oak habitat losses in Oregon and Washington range from 50% to 

near total loss. Moreover, many of the remaining oak habitats tend to occur on poor soils because more 

productive land has largely been cleared for other uses. 

A variety of factors have contributed to the loss of oak habitats. In earlier times, Native Americans set 

frequent fires to maintain oak savannas and woodlands in open conditions. These fires reduced 

competing vegetation and allowed oaks to thrive and produce large numbers of acorns, a key food source 

for Native people. Following European settlement, many oak woodlands and savannas were converted 

for agriculture or urban development. Also, decades of fire suppression during the latter half of the 1900s 

have allowed less fire-resistant yet faster-growing tree species, such as Douglas-fir, to encroach upon 

and displace oak trees. Additionally, in some cases cattle grazing has degraded oak systems by 

compacting soils and reducing oak regeneration. More recently, non-native invasive species—including 

plants, insects, and disease agents—have contributed to negative impacts in oak habitats; for example, 

the invasive shrub Scotch broom has altered understory and shrub communities in these habitats, and the 

disease Sudden Oak Death has devastated some oak forests in California and Oregon. 

The degradation and loss of oak habitats have led to real and negative consequences for wildlife. Almost 

half of 49 bird species in the Pacific Northwest that are highly associated with prairie-oak habitats have 

experienced extirpations, range contractions, and/or regional population declines. This habitat decline 

has affected other wildlife too, including mammals, butterflies, and other invertebrates. 

Fortunately, wildlife populations can usually bounce back if appropriate habitat conditions are in place 

for wildlife to live and breed. Private landowners, by referring to the guidelines in this document, can 

play an integral role in returning healthy, wildlife-rich oak ecosystems to the landscape, thereby leaving 

a valuable legacy for future generations. 

The Nature Conservancy

Young citizens learn about oak habitats in the Rogue Valley
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The Role of Private Landowners

In the Pacific Northwest, oak habitat in private ownership ranges from 50% to nearly 100%, 

depending on the region. Thus, oak habitats and their wildlife communities are heavily dependent on 

private landowners who choose to maintain or restore oak ecosystems. There are some oak habitats 

on public lands, and these tend to be at lower elevations adjacent to private lands.

Fortunately, there are many reasons why landowners may decide to undertake oak restoration. Oak 

woodlands and savannas have a unique aesthetic that many people find beautiful; oak trees have 

interesting and artistic growth forms, and oak woodlands are excellent for wildlife viewing. 

Restoring habitat brings satisfaction and increases a landowner’s connection to the land. 

Additionally, it can be thrilling when new wildlife species appear in habitat created by restoration 

activities.

Individuals interested in oak conservation attend a 

field day led by American Bird Conservancy, 

Klamath Bird Observatory, Lomakatsi Restoration 

Project, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

and US Fish and Wildlife Service

Jaime Stephens

Private landowner and USFWS personnel 

discuss an oak restoration plan

Marko Bey

Private Lands Restoration Matters

New research by Klamath Bird Observatory’s Kate Halstead 

(pictured on right) and colleagues at Oregon State University 

demonstrates that even small parcels of high quality oak habitat 

will attract oak-associated birdlife. This is reassuring to private 

landowners because it means that oak restoration activities, of 

nearly any size, will make a difference for wildlife.

Helpful Tip: There are ways private landowners can cover costs associated with oak 

restoration. Conifer trees are often removed during restoration activities and the sale of these 

trees can offset the cost of restoration, or even generate a profit for the landowner. Numerous 

conservation programs exist that can provide expertise and further assist landowners with 

restoration costs. We provide an overview of these programs in Appendix II—Help with Your 

Restoration.
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Conservation Overview

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) has suffered substantial 

declines throughout its range. A major threat to this species is the 

encroachment of conifer trees. Encroaching conifers grow faster 

than oaks and eventually cover them in shade. Without access to 

direct sunlight, the oaks lose vitality and eventually die. 

Historically frequent fires reduced the number of conifers, 

allowing the oaks to thrive and reach maturity. With regard to the 

disease Sudden Oak Death, Oregon white oak fortunately is 

resistant and can persist in areas where other oaks may not be 

able to persist.

General

Oregon white oak is deciduous and the most common and 

widespread oak in Oregon. The heart of its range extends from 

southwestern British Columbia through northern California, but 

the species can also be found in isolated pockets in central and 

southern California. Trees can reach 100 feet in height on moist, 

productive sites, but typically attain heights between 40 and 80 

feet, and can be even shorter on dry sites. These trees often occur 

in clumps, with multiple stems representing a single organism. 

Following disturbance new stems sprout from around the 

weakened or dead standing trunk, or from the stump if the tree 

had been cut down. Oregon white oaks can live to 300 or 400 

years old, and a few trees may reach 500 years of age. 

The thick and leathery leaves of Oregon white oak are 3 to 6 

inches long and the lobes on the leaves are distinctively rounded 

(for comparison, the California black oak has pointy bristles on 

the tips of the leaf lobes). The color of their bark also helps with 

identification; the bark is white to grayish or light brown with 

broad ridges. Acorns have a shallow acorn cap, and are oval or 

barrel-shaped. 

Oregon white oaks tend to have noticeably 

whitish bark

Jaime Stephens

Oregon white oak 

leaf; notice the 

rounded leaf lobes

Jaime Stephens

Oaks Species of the Region

United States Geological Survey

Oregon White Oak

Range map of the Oregon white oak 
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A Brewer’s oak stand (foreground) in the 

Colestin Valley, Oregon

Oregon white oak acorns

Jim Conrad Jim Conrad

Tree Species Associations

Oregon white oak is commonly found alongside the 

following tree species: Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, 

Oregon ash, California black oak, and Pacific madrone.

Acorn Production

Oregon white oak trees begin producing acorns around 

age 20 and achieve maximum acorn production around 

age 80. After this time, acorn production levels off. 

Trees with broad “mushroom-shaped” crowns produce 

more acorns than those with narrow “vase-shaped” 

crowns, and acorn production is also greater in trees 

with better access to water. Oregon white oaks 

generally have high year-to-year variation in their 

production of acorns, and large acorn crops may occur 

every two or three years. 

Shade and Fire Tolerance

Oregon white oaks are shade-tolerant as seedlings but 

by the time they are mature they are shade-intolerant. 

Thus, mature oak trees require ample sunlight to 

survive. Oaks are adapted to frequent fire; their bark 

provides protection against the flames, their leaves 

promote low intensity burning, and they can sprout 

from the tree base if their above-ground portions are 

killed by fire. Oregon white oaks can be the dominant 

tree species in areas too harsh for other trees, as well as 

in landscapes experiencing repeated disturbance such 

as fires. 

Brewer’s oak (Quercus garryana breweri) is a dwarf 

or shrubby form of Oregon white oak that occurs 

almost exclusively in the Siskiyou Mountains and 

typically grows to just a few feet in height, but may 

reach as high as 20 feet. Its leaves are velvety 

underneath and generally not as deeply lobed as those 

of the Oregon white oak. Brewer’s oak occurs in 

characteristic pure, shrubby stands on shallow soils, 

and its primary mode of regeneration is sprouting after 

high-intensity fire. Brewer’s oak communities 

represent rare, valuable habitat for migratory birds and 

other wildlife, and add diversity to adjacent oak 

woodland and grassland habitat. See management 

considerations for Brewer’s oak on page 35.

Marko Bey

Brewer’s Oak 

Brewer’s oak leaves are not deeply lobed
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Conservation Overview

California black oak (Quercus kelloggii), like Oregon white 

oak, is primarily threatened by the shade cast by 

encroaching conifers. California black oaks naturally occur 

in large pure stands or with conifers in mixed oak-conifer 

habitats. Loss of frequent fire has caused rapid proliferation 

of conifers at densities too great to sustain California black 

oak throughout much of its range. Additionally, Sudden 

Oak Death represents a moderate threat to this species.

General

California black oak is deciduous and has the widest 

distribution of all western oak species, occurring naturally 

from west-central Oregon to southern California and into 

Baja California.

California black oak is typically larger than Oregon white 

oak, often reaching 60 to 120 feet in height and often living 

from 300 to 500 years. California black oaks can be easily 

distinguished from Oregon white oaks by the pointed tips 

on the lobes of their leaves. Also, California black oak trees 

tend to have dark gray or black bark that further helps 

distinguish them from Oregon white oaks. They have the 

largest acorns of any western oak and their acorn cup 

covers about half of the acorn.

Tree Species Associations

California black oaks usually occur in ponderosa pine 

forests, mixed-conifer forests, or pure stands. They occur 

alongside ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir, Douglas

-fir, and sugar pine. California black oaks also occur in oak 

woodlands with other trees including Oregon white oak, 

canyon live oak, tanoak, and Pacific madrone.

California black oak leaves

Rich Fairbanks

Oaks Species of the Region

Flickr user JKehoe

Range map of the California black oak 

California Black Oak 

California black oak 

Marko Bey United States Geological Survey
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California black oak acorns

Jim Conrad

Acorn Production

Similar to Oregon white oaks, California black oaks begin to 

produce acorns around 30 years of age, but usually do not 

produce heavily until they are 80 years old or more. Acorns 

take two years to mature. Fire stimulates the germination of 

acorns and low- to moderate-intensity fires can improve 

regeneration of this species.

Shade and Fire Tolerance

California black oak is intolerant of shade for the majority of 

its life, although seedlings and saplings can tolerate some 

shade. Mature trees cannot survive in shade. This species is 

tolerant of fire, as its thick bark provides heat protection. 

When fire kills the above-ground portion of a California 

black oak, it survives by sprouting from the root collar, 

much like Oregon white oak.

Valley Oak

Valley oak (Quercus lobata) is a seriously threatened native 

deciduous tree of California whose range extends north into 

southern Siskiyou County, California. A large proportion of 

historic valley oak habitat has been cleared for farmland and 

urban development, and private lands hold greater than 80% 

of remaining valley oaks. Current threats include poor 

regeneration and the continued removal of mature trees. 

Valley oak is long-lived, and drought– and flood-resistant. 

Individual valley oaks are the largest oaks in North America, 

although trees typically only grow between 30 and 75 feet in 

height. This species is dominant in valley oak woodlands as 

well as valley oak forests on the higher portions of 

floodplains. Valley oaks grow in deep, rich soils. 

Valley oak forests are extremely valuable for birdlife, 

supporting more known breeding bird species than any other 

habitat in California. Trees in full sun produce the most 

acorns. This oak guide does not address habitat restoration 

for this species.

Range map of the valley oak

Valley oak

United States Geological Survey Flickr User JKehoe
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Conservation Overview

Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) faces a moderate threat 

from Sudden Oak Death, and mortality from this disease has 

been reported as far north as Humboldt County, CA. Canyon live 

oaks are occasionally overtopped by Douglas-fir, however their 

shade tolerance and tendency to occur on harsh sites limits 

conifer encroachment and competition with other tree species. 

General

Canyon live oak is an evergreen tree native to California, 

Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico. These trees often have 

twisted, complex trunks and broad, spreading crowns. On good 

sites they will easily grow as large as California black oak or 

valley oak, reaching heights greater than 100 feet. They are more 

typically shorter stature, and sometimes occur in a shrubby 

growth form. 

Canyon live oak leaves do not have lobes and do not resemble 

classic oak leaves. These thick and leathery leaves are 1⁄2 to 2 

inches long and come in two forms: one form is toothless and the 

other form may have some or many holly-like teeth or spines at 

the leaf margin. It is common for both types of leaves to be 

present on the same tree. Their acorns are 1⁄2 to 2” long, and 

about half as wide. Their mostly smooth bark has small scales 

and is grayish-brown and tinged with red. They may live for up 

to 300 years, and usually occur on dry and well-drained sites in 

the sun, including rocky mountain slopes and steep canyons.

Canyon live oaks can occur in pure extensive stands, shrubby 

chaparral habitats, or mixed forests, with species such as 

Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, California black oak, Oregon white 

oak, tanoak, sugar pine, and Pacific madrone. 

Acorn Production and Shade and Fire Tolerance

Acorn crops vary year to year, and it takes 2 years for acorns to 

mature. Canyon live oaks are shade-tolerant and although their 

bark is often thin, are quite fire resilient. After very hot, intense 

fires, canyon live oaks are still able to sprout from the root 

collar, along the tree bole, or even from a defoliated tree crown.

Oaks Species of the Region

Canyon live oak leaves in holly-like form

Canyon live oak stems in a forest

Canyon live oak acorns

Flickr user Ewen Roberts Jim Conrad

Range map of canyon live oak

Canyon Live Oak

Mathew Cocking

United States Geological Survey
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Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) is an ecologically significant 

acorn-producing tree that shares the same family with oaks, 

although it is not a true oak. Tanoak is native to California and 

southwestern Oregon. It is a major species in mixed-evergreen 

forests along the Pacific Coast, where it can dominate the 

subcanopy or shrub layer in forests where conifers such as 

Douglas-fir and redwood dominate the canopy. Pacific 

madrone is its most common hardwood associate, and it can 

also be found growing alongside California black oak, 

chinquapin, and California bay laurel. Tanoak is sensitive to 

frost, drought, and fire, and therefore tends to occur closer to 

the coast where marine precipitation and fog are common.

Trees are evergreen and typically grow between 60 and 100 

feet tall. Tanoak can persist as a shrub in shaded forest 

understories, and a shrub variant (L. d. echinoides) occurs on 

serpentine and other harsh soils across the Klamath Mountains. 

Their stiff, leathery leaves are simple, alternate, and 3 to 5 

inches long with smooth or coarsely-toothed edges. Their 

acorns have bristly caps.

Tanoak is threatened by Sudden Oak Death. In the 1800s the 

tanbark industry decimated this species, and in the past century 

it has suffered from forest management policies that favor 

conifers. Tanoak leaves (left) and range map (right)

Tanoak forest, Humboldt County, CA

Tanoak

Mathew Cocking United States Geological Survey

Flickr User Bri Weldon

Chaparral Habitats and Ecology

Chaparral habitats in southern Oregon and northern California occur 

in areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters. These habitats are 

dominated by dense shrubby vegetation comprised of droughttolerant plants with hard evergreen leaves. Infrequent fires, generally 

with burn-intervals between 10 and 100 years, are a natural feature of 

chaparral habitats.

In our region, there are unique chaparral oak habitats characterized by 

dense stands of Caenothus shrubs, usually buckbrush, and a few 

Oregon white oak trees. These chaparral habitats are little-studied, 

but believed to provide wildlife values not found elsewhere. 

Chaparral photos by Jaime Stephens
18

All these habitat types are important for wildlife and this guide 

provides restoration guidelines relevant to all of them.

Large, old oak trees provide immense wildlife value, and they 

need full sunlight to thrive. See pages 22-23 to learn how to 

protect existing—and encourage new—large, old oaks.

Snags are very important for wildlife. See pages 28-29 to learn 

more about snags and how to have them on your land for 

wildlife.

Native shrubs are better for wildlife than invasive shrubs. Learn 

more on pages 30-31.

Landowner Worksheet: Considering Oaks on Your Land

______________________________

Look at the graphic above. Do you 

have oak savanna, oak chaparral, oak 

woodland, or mixed oak-conifer 

forest on your land?

______________________________

Do you have large, old oak trees?

______________________________

Do your oaks receive full sunlight?

______________________________

Do you have many standing dead 

trees (snags) on your land?

______________________________

Do you have invasive shrubs or 

grasses in your oak habitat?

Take a moment to complete this worksheet about oaks and your land. This worksheet will direct you to the 

areas of this guide where your restoration efforts can produce the best results for Oregon white and California 

black oak habitats. Be aware that oak restoration requires work over multiple years.

20-30% total tree canopy cover with non-oak canopy cover <5%. 

Native shrub cover at no more than 15%.

20-30% total tree canopy cover with non-oak canopy cover 

<5%. Native shrub cover 30-80%
19

___________________________

Do you have multiple age classes 

of oaks (seedlings, saplings, 

young trees, mature trees)?

___________________________

Are your oaks threatened by 

overtopping conifers or crowding?

___________________________

Is your habitat grazed by cattle?

___________________________

Does your land experience 

frequent low-intensity fire?

___________________________

Do your oaks have insect pests or 

diseases?

“Healthy” oak habitat has multiple age classes, including seedlings 

and saplings. Learn more about having diverse habitat structures 

on your land on pages 20-21.

Mature oaks require abundant sunlight to thrive. Faster-growing 

conifers can overtop and cast shade upon oaks, causing the oaks to 

lose vitality and eventually die. These overtopping conifers can be 

removed to restore healthy oak habitats. Learn more on page 23.

Well-managed grazing can benefit oak habitats, but in other cases 

grazing can present challenges. Learn more on page 36.

Prescribed, low-intensity fire has many benefits for oak savanna 

and woodland. Learn more on pages 32-33.

Oaks are subject to a variety of insect pests and diseases. Some 

symptoms are obvious but cause little damage, whereas others are 

less obvious but lethal. You may download a copy of A Field 

Guide to Insects and Diseases of California Oaks here:

www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtrl97/psw_gtr197.pdf

30-60% total tree canopy cover with conifer tree cover <50%, 

favoring med-large conifers (>15” dbh), preferably in pockets not 

encroaching on oaks. Native shrub cover 10-40%, in variablysized, dense patches.

30-60% total tree canopy cover with non-oak canopy cover 

<10%, favoring ponderosa pine and sugar pine. Native shrub 

cover should be 10-30% in variably-sized patches.
20

Desired Condition #1:

Diverse Habitat Structures

Significance

The diversity of wildlife in your oak habitat depends in part on the diversity of important 

structural components, such as saplings, young trees, old trees, snags, grassland areas, 

shrubby areas, and low spreading limbs. Healthy oak habitats have variability in the pattern 

of vegetation on the land, including clumping, open spaces, and areas of differing tree 

densities, rather than even tree spacing. 

Brush piles on your land can aid oak and shrub regeneration by providing a refuge for 

seedling growth; such regeneration helps maintain a diversity of age classes. Coarse woody 

debris from deciduous trees, such as fallen limbs and whole trees, are used by invertebrates 

as well as vertebrates including reptiles and amphibians. Shrub cover is important for small 

animals and shrub-dependent birds. Mixed oak stands that have some conifers can attract 

additional wildlife compared to pure oak stands. Finally, wetland and stream or river 

components in oak systems, if present, are extremely valuable for wildlife. 

Desired Conditions for Your Oak Habitat

We present six desired conditions for your oak habitat. Each desired condition represents a characteristic 

of a healthy, functioning oak ecosystem. We present guidelines that will help you achieve each desired 

condition, and these guidelines can be applied to oak savanna, oak chaparral, oak woodland, and mixed 

oak-conifer habitats. Even if you cannot achieve all the desired conditions, every effort helps restore our 

region’s unique oak systems.

In general, healthy oak habitat will contain (1) large, old oak trees that receive plenty of sunlight, (2) an 

understory of native shrubs and plants, and (3) habitat variability, characterized by variably spaced trees 

of different ages and shapes, and shrub and grass patches of varying sizes and spacings. 

White-breasted nuthatches are 

often seen moving down oak 

trunks and limbs, probing bark 

crevices for insects to eat. They 

store nuts and seeds under loose 

tree bark for winter, and benefit 

from the extra foraging area 

provided by low spreading oak 

limbs.

These small birds live in pairs on 

permanent territories. You 

typically find White-breasted 

nuthatches in oak chaparral and 

oak woodland.

Jim Livaudais
21

Guidelines

(1) Aim to have multiple oak age classes represented on your land

 Maintain individuals from all existing age classes

 If oak regeneration is low or non-existent, you may need to plant acorns or 

oak seedlings. To learn more, read Devine and Harrington’s Planting Native 

Oak in the Pacific Northwest (www.arlis.org/docs/vol1/B/547193245.pdf) 

(2) Reclaim and maintain natural openings and 

 edges 

 Consider removing trees that encroach upon natural openings

 Restore and/or maintain native shrub and herbaceous understory in these gaps 

as needed

(3) Consider leaving some brush piles on your land 

 for wildlife and to protect regenerating trees and 

 shrubs

(4) Keep trees with unique wildlife benefits

 Retain all trees with unique growth forms that provide wildlife habitat, Acorn Woodpecker granary 

trees, and snags or standing dead trees (for safety reasons, don’t leave snags within falling distance of a 

house, garage, or barn) 

Mathew Cocking

Diverse age classes of oaks, including this new recruit in 

the foreground, are an indication of healthy oak habitat

Jaime Stephens

Acorn woodpecker 

granaries, where the 

birds store acorns, are 

valuable structural 

components on your land

Klamath Bird Observatory

Low spreading limbs provide varied structure 

to the habitat

Helpful Tip: When you’re deciding where on your land to implement oak restoration, give 

priority to sites that have large, old oaks, as well as oaks of varying ages. Large, old oaks are 

particularly valuable as wildlife habitat. When possible, choose restoration sites that are adjacent 

to good quality oak habitat because doing so will increase the size of an existing oak system, 

rather than create a new, small, and isolated oak habitat patch. If the option to expand a habitat 

patch does not exist, there is still value in creating new oak habitat patches.
22

Significance

Large, old oak trees are the cornerstones of healthy oak habitat. 

These dramatic figures on the landscape are critically important 

for wildlife. They can produce huge numbers of acorns that 

provide nutrition to wildlife during the fall and winter when 

other food sources may be scarce. Their plentiful foliage 

provides foraging substrates for birds and bats. Dead as well as 

live limbs provide nesting cavities, and fallen leaves become 

cover for soil invertebrates. These large trees provide substantial 

wildlife benefits and their acorns become the next generation of 

oak trees.

Threats

Mature oak trees require sunlight and will eventually die if they 

are in the shade of overtopping conifers. Neighboring trees also 

compete for resources such as soil nutrients and water. 

Additionally, encroaching young conifers can increase fire risks for old oaks as their regularly-spaced low 

branches can transfer ground fires into oak canopies, acting as ladder fuels and causing more extensive 

fire damage. Diseases and heavy mistletoe infestations can also harm oak trees. 

The Acorn woodpecker, like many birds and other 

animals, depends heavily on acorns. Larger, mature oak 

trees produce more acorns than smaller trees, and thus are 

critical for supporting acorn-consuming wildlife. 

Acorn woodpeckers are communal breeders. Up to as 

many as 15 individuals from multiple generations will live 

together in an established territory. Only some of these 

individuals breed, while others help raise the young. The 

number of breeding individuals varies, but usually consists 

of one or two females and up to four males per female. 

Acorn woodpeckers collect acorns during autumn and 

winter and store them in dead trees and telephone poles 

and other manmade structures. These acorn storage sites 

are called granaries, and one granary may contain as many 

as 50,000 acorns. All of the woodpeckers that live in a 

community are responsible for collecting and storing 

acorns. 

You typically find acorn woodpeckers in oak savanna, oak 

chaparral, and oak woodland.

Jim Livaudais

Mathew Cocking

Oregon white oak

Desired Condition #2:

Large, Old Oak Trees
23

Restoration Tool

Remove encroaching trees and vegetation

Additional Considerations

 You’ll want to avoid restoration actions that lead to a type transition (e.g., changing a woodland to a savanna) unless it is

provable you are restoring the historical condition, or that is the goal of the treatment.

 If conifers are removed, do so during fall or winter, or during spring before leaf out; avoid using heavy equipment on wet 

soils.

 Whenever possible, hand crews should be used instead of heavy equipment.

 Forestry contractors must understand the goal is to preserve oaks and be able to describe practices to minimize damage to 

oaks. Alternately, consider extensively marking stands prior to treatment.

 Clean and inspect logging equipment entering a restoration site to prevent the introduction of non-native, invasive species.

 Removing trees through the use of equipment (e.g., dragging trees with cables) can disturb the forest floor and create 

favorable conditions for invasive plants. To mitigate this, spreading seeds of native understory perennial plants following 

forest floor disturbance is highly recommended.

 See the bottom of Appendix II: Help with Your Restoration for information on disposing of slash created from tree removal.

Guidelines

(1) Keep legacy conifers and other legacy hardwoods

 Retain all legacy conifers and hardwoods; these older trees are often >24” dbh, but you should also consider retaining 

individual conifers and hardwoods on your property that are large relative to most other trees.

(2) Remove conifers and hardwoods that encroach upon large, old oaks

 Consider removing conifers (generally <24” dbh) and competing hardwoods within two times the dripline of large or 

vigorous oaks.

 Remove conifer trees that create deep shade over oaks, keeping in mind that conifers located on the north side of oaks cast 

less shade and cause less harm to the oaks.

 Take care not to damage your oaks when felling overtopping conifers; girdle (rather than remove) overtopping conifers 

likely to damage oaks if felled.

 In oak savanna and woodland you may choose to remove almost all small diameter (<12” dbh) conifers, whereas in mixedoak conifer forest you should think about leaving a wide spacing (10 to 30 trees per acre) of recruitment-age conifers, 

generally giving preference to ponderosa pine and sugar pine, and ideally having patches of conifers away from oaks.

(3) Consider removing smaller oaks where they encroach on large, old oaks

 Retain healthy and vigorous oaks with the broadest crowns, oaks with cavities, and large oaks (usually >20” dbh, but 

consider what is large for your property). 

 Identify large, vigorous oaks and consider removing smaller oaks (up to 16” dbh) within two times the dripline; some oaks 

may be retained as replacement trees. Oak stumps may resprout and may need to be dealt with as a maintenance issue in 

later years.

 Maintain multiple age classes of oaks; for example, you may retain smaller oak replacement trees between crowns of large 

or vigorous oaks.

 If you have many young or suppressed oaks competing with each other, consider thinning oaks in some areas and leaving 

other patches with the existing density. Be careful not to over thin this component; consider thinning incrementally over 

time without reducing the canopy >10% with each entry.

 If you have multi-stemmed oaks, keep in mind that each clump of connected stems functions as a single organism and 

thinning techniques may include removal of the entire clump, retention of the entire clump, or careful thinning within 

clumps. Retaining a mixture of single– and multi-stemmed oaks is desirable for structural diversity. Many stands naturally 

include both single-stem and multiple-stemmed clumps and do not require cutting of oaks to achieve greater diversity. If 

you have mostly multi-stemmed oaks you may want to consider thinning to achieve diversity; in which case, you will need 

to learn about sprout clump thinning on page 26. 
24

California black oak that lost its crown as a result of 

overtopping conifers

Conifer removal near a legacy oak

Open-grown Oregon white oak in savanna. Measuring the diameter of a legacy white oak Keith Perchemlides

Marko Bey

Mathew Cocking

Conifer encroachment on oaks

Photo Album - Large Oaks

Marko Bey

John Cymore
25

Conifers are beginning to encroach upon oaks 

Mathew Cocking

Before (left) and after (right) photos showing the results of thinning young oaks competing with large, old oaks Keith Perchemlides

Keith Perchemlides

Keith PerchemlidesKeith Perchemlides

Before (left) and after (right) photos showing radial thinning around a large, old oaks

Photo Album - Thinning
26

Sprout Clump Thinning

Keith Perchemlides

Dealing with undesirable oak 

re-sprouting is a maintenance issue 

associated with oak restoration

Oaks routinely re-sprout from the base following 

disturbance (e.g., fire), or from the stump if they have been 

cut down. Oaks are occasionally thinned during restoration 

to release large, old oaks from competition. In these cases, 

dealing with oak sprouts represents a maintenance issue.

In other cases, sprout clump thinning can be used on 

young, multi-stemmed oaks to increase structural diversity 

and encourage the growth of the most vigorous stems. 

Here are guidelines for thinning young multiple-stemmed 

oaks that are already established on your property:

 Focus thinning when sprouts are relatively young and 

respond well to release (typically 5-15 years old)

 Plan to have remaining stems widely spaced

 Favor stems on the uphill side of a slope

 Favor smaller high quality stems over larger poor 

quality stems

 Retain some un-thinned oak clumps for wildlife

This clump of oaks was thinned six years ago and 

the thinned sprouts have re-sprouted. Further 

maintenance might benefit this oak clump.

This clump of re-sprouting oaks was 

thinned at eight years of age, and is 

shown here 14 years after a wildfire

An oak clump that was never thinned 

provides structural diversity and habitat 

for shrub-associated birds

Jaime Stephens

Jaime Stephens

Jaime Stephens

Special Note: Brewer’s oak (see pages 13 and 

35) can easily be mistaken for sprout clumps or 

young oak thickets. Brewer’s oak is not the 

same as young oak sprouts clumps, and 

thinning is not recommended as the effects are 

unknown. 
27

Girdling refers to the process of cutting through the cambium and sapwood layers around the 

circumference of a tree stem to interrupt the flow of nutrients between the below- and aboveground portions of the tree, resulting in the death of the tree. The snags—or standing dead 

trees—that result from girdling provide nesting and foraging habitat for wildlife.

Girdled trees will generally die within three years. Trees should be monitored for girdle failure 

(i.e., the girdle did not completely sever the cambium or live foliage below the girdle was not 

removed). If trees do not die, they may require re-girdling or felling. 

Step 1 (left photo): After removing branches, make shallow (<1 inch deep) horizontal cuts through the bark using an 

axe or chainsaw. These parallel cuts should be 4 to 8 inches apart, and should not be so deep as to compromise the 

structural integrity of the tree. Step 2 (right photo): Use a flat edge shove, pry bar, axe or other wedge tool to pry 

bark away from outer sap wood.

Step 3: Continue to pry away from outer sap wood until no connective bark or cambial tissue remains between the 

two initial horizontal cuts. If all connective tissue is not removed, or if the girdle is not wide enough, trees are less 

likely to die. Do not leave any live branches below the girdle as they may prevent the death of the tree.

Mathew Cocking originally developed the information on this page for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

Photo Guide to Girdling Mathew Cocking

Mathew Cocking

Mathew Cocking

Mathew Cocking
28

Significance

Snags are standing dead trees, and these are essential for many wildlife species. Snags provide cavities 

for nesting, perches with good vantage points, and insects for food. Dead wood on the ground (downed 

wood), is important in soil development, provides nutrients to streams, and is essential for maintaining 

fungi and other microorganisms that are the foundation of woodland food webs. Downed wood also 

provides habitat for small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, many of which serve as prey for 

animals further up the food chain.

Brandon Breen

The hollowed out base of snags can provide 

den habitats for a variety of wildlife

The house wren is one of many bird 

species in oak habitats that nest in 

cavities, especially old woodpecker 

holes. The male begins building its 

nest in a cavity and once he pairs 

with a female, she will complete 

construction of the nest.

Compared to other cavity nesters, 

house wrens prefer cavities closer 

to the ground, and they will use 

cavities in dead as well as living 

trees. They avoid nest sites more 

than 30 meters away from patches 

of woody vegetation.

You typically find house wrens in 

oak savanna, oak chaparral, and 

oak woodland.

Desired Condition #3:

Snags and Downed Wood

Jaime Stephens

A Douglas squirrel uses a cavity 

in this downed wood

Jim Livaudais
29

Guidelines

(1) Retain snags and downed wood for 

 the benefit of wildlife

 Retain snags if at all possible and also dead oak limbs

 Retain some large dead wood on the ground and consider 

leaving large trees on the ground if they are felled for other 

reasons

(2) Provide new snags if they are not 

 abundant on your property 

 Girdle conifers to create snags in areas with few or no 

snags; consider this method if you decide some conifers 

need to be removed, especially if felling them may harm 

oaks 

 Aim to have snags of various sizes, tree species, and levels 

of decay 

Jim Livaudais

Standing dead wood, or snags, are an 

important component of all oak habitats

Jaime Stephens

Restoration Tool

Retention—One of the most valuable restoration tools is keeping existing standing and downed wood 

in a woodland or forest stand

Girdling—See page 27 for a photo guide to this management practice

The oak titmouse nests in natural cavities 

more often than old woodpecker holes, and 

will even partially excavate holes in rotted 

wood. The female chooses the nest site 

after inspecting several cavities in the area. 

You typically see oak titmice in oak 

savanna, oak chaparral, and oak woodland.
30

Significance

Native shrubs and native perennial grasses are understory components of healthy oak systems. Native 

plants have evolved with native wildlife communities and tend to support wildlife better than non-native 

species. Many oak habitats in our region have understory plant communities that contain invasive plants 

and have strayed from historical conditions. 

Threats

Non-native species can outcompete and overwhelm native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. The introduction 

of non-native species, as well as the recent absence of regular fire, are responsible in large part for this 

departure from past conditions. Grazing can also reduce the cover of native grasses and increase soil 

disturbance that can lead to the establishment of non-natives. When non-native plants become dominant 

there can be changes in fire regimes and nutrient cycling in the soil and introduced competition can 

hinder the survival of oak seedlings. 

Native grasses, such as this California fescue in 

an oak savanna, provide food and cover for birds

Restoration Tools

 Planting native species

 Manual pulling of non-native species

 Mechanical and chemical treatments

 Prescribed fire (learn more about fire on 

pages 32-33)

 Conifer removal (increases sunlight to 

understory plant communities)

 Seeding of native plants following ground 

disturbance

The spotted towhee is a bird of thickets 

and scrubby habitats. During the 

breeding season, Spotted Towhees flip 

through the leaf litter under shrubs in 

search of high-protein insects and 

arthropods. Native shrubs attract richer 

insect communities that feed towhees 

and other birds.

You can encounter spotted towhees in 

oak savanna, oak chaparral, oak 

woodland, and mixed oak-conifer, 

wherever there are relatively dense 

shrub patches.

Desired Condition #4:

Native Shrubs and Perennial Grasses Mathew Cocking Jim Livaudais
31

Native oak grasses and shrubs

California fescue

Roemer’s fescue

California brome

Blue wildrye

Purple needlegrass

Idaho fescue

Western fescue

California oatgrass

Junegrass

Sweetcicely

Coffeeberry

Poison oak

Common snowberry

Ocean spray

Hazel

Serviceberry

Oregon-grape

Bitterbrush

Mountain mahogany

Buckbrush

Common non-native, invasive 

plants in oak habitats

Scotch Broom

English hawthorn

Yellow starthistle

Armenian blackberry

English holly

Himalayan blackberry

Bull thistle

French broom

St John’s wort

Medusahead 

Cheatgrass

Guidelines

(1) Consider historic conditions to determine your 

 desired shrub cover

 Consider historic shrub cover when deciding whether to remove or 

plant native shrubs; consult old photos if they exist

 Generally, retain variably-sized patches of dense native vegetation if 

it is present in your oak woodland and does not pose a fire hazard to 

homes or communities

(2) Retain and/or plant native perennial grasses

 Strive for a diverse, native understory with a balance of grasses, 

forbs, and shrubs

 Encourage native understories by seeding grass and forbs into 

mineral rich ashes leftover from prescribed fire or disturbed areas 

following restoration thinning

(3) Remove non-native plant species if practical to 

 do so

 Refrain from using herbicides if possible; hand-pulling plants is very 

effective. If hand-pulling is labor- or cost-prohibitive, minimize the 

application of herbicides through spot spraying

 Agencies can help you develop a plan for dealing with non-native 

species (see Appendix II: Help with Your Restoration)

 There may be situations where only a combination of herbicides, 

burning and/or mechanical removal will restore highly degraded 

areas

(4) Minimize likelihood that non-native species will 

 establish

 Minimize ground disturbance at sites with native understories to 

prevent opportunities for non-native species to establish

 If restoration actions lead to ground disturbance, plan to reseed the 

site with native species and have the seed on hand before starting 

restoration

Sowing Native Seeds

Following burning, a good restoration practice is to sow native grass seed into the mineral-rich ashes 

of some of the burn locations to restore the native grass community. Native grass can establish itself 

well in disturbed locations like burn spots. It may be possible to acquire native grass seed for specific 

locations from the US Forest Service or a local nursery in the area. Seed can be sown by hand; 

experimentation with amounts will produce different results. Seeding rates will vary, so check when 

purchasing the seed as to how much to use per location. The best time to sow native grass seeds is 

November through March during their dormant time, depending on elevation. Sowing native grasses 

not only restores herbaceous plant communities to the site, it is a good preventive measure for 

noxious weed mitigation. 
32

Significance

Restoring natural fire regimes can produce many benefits for your oak 

ecosystem. Restoring fire can reduce fuel loads, remove encroaching young 

conifers (i.e., seedling and sapling size), maintain an open understory, create 

understory conditions suitable for native plants, and possibly encourage oak 

recruitment. However, restoring fire will not be realistic in many areas due to 

fire use restrictions related to safety and air quality. If fire is used, it is highly 

recommended that fire treatments are repeated periodically (typically, every 3 

to 5 years) to maintain low fuel loads and reduce the likelihood of a highintensity wildfire that could damage or kill valuable, old oaks. Also, it should 

be noted that the use of controlled burns occurs after initial restoration and 

thinning treatments have been implemented and vegetation density has been 

reduced.

Threats

High-intensity fires can harm large, old oaks. Oak habitats have historically experienced frequent lowintensity fires and thus do not naturally have high fuel loads. Oaks persist when there are frequent fires and 

benefit from low-intensity fires because these fires can remove species that are susceptible to fire when 

young, such as Douglas-fir, white fir, and other conifers; a competitive benefit for oaks. If fuel levels build 

up, however, high-intensity fires can burn and kill oak trees, and pose risks to persons and property.

Western bluebirds are open-country 

birds that prefer areas with few 

shrubs—the types of habitat created 

by low-intensity burns in oak savanna 

or oak woodland. Burned areas with 

large trees for perches and snags for 

nest cavities are ideal.

Both parents feed the young, and 

these birds feed on insects during 

warm months and on mistletoe berries 

during winter. 

You typically see western bluebirds in 

oak savanna and oak woodland.

Jena DeJuilio

Jim Livaudais

Desired Condition #5:

Frequent, Low-intensity Fire

Prescribed fire
33

Guidelines

(1) Understand the liability associated with prescribed burning and reach 

 out to professionals for guidance or assistance in implementing a burn 

 on your property

 The use of fire requires planning, necessary permissions, experienced personnel, and communication with 

neighbors and other stakeholders

 Due to decades-long absences of fire in many places, mechanical fuel reduction treatments are often necessary to 

reduce fuel loads to safe levels prior to implementing understory burning

 Post-burn seeding of native understory plants and herbaceous vegetation is an important step to creating a healthy 

oak understory, use a local seed source and consult with professionals

 The frequency at which fire is needed at a site depends on how quickly woody fuel accumulates

(2) Protect important habitat components, like snags, downed wood, and 

 large oaks, prior to burning

 Create buffer areas of bare dirt around important habitat components to prevent fire from reaching them

 Note: Seedling and sapling oaks may be top-killed by fire but will usually re-sprout

 Note: The thick bark of mature oaks protects them from low-intensity fires

(3) Observe the following common sense practices

 Keep your neighbors informed and forewarned

 Burn when moisture levels are appropriate: neither too dry or too wet

 Do not burn when weather conditions are inappropriate (e.g., too windy, or during an inversion)

 Follow fire precaution levels

 Always have a fire line (approximately 12-24 inches in width) cleared to bare mineral soil encircling the fire

 Start by igniting small test patches

 Patrol the area periodically until the fire is dead out and all the heat is gone

 Do not leave your property while there is the potential for reburning

 Check old rotten stumps and duff for residual heat

 Patrol and inspect burned areas for residual smoke in the hours and days following burning

Restoration Tools

Prescribed Burning—The controlled application of fire

Important Notice: Prior to any prescribed burning, it is critically important that a specific burn plan is 

developed by prescribed fire specialists and other qualified professionals. Prescribed fire methods are very sitespecific. Not all methods are appropriate for every location. Prescribed fire prescriptions must be determined on 

a unit-by-unit or section-by-section basis. The details needed for burning will develop as on-the-ground work 

progresses along with knowledge of site conditions. Also, it is important that landowners are aware of liability 

issues surrounding the use of burning. 
34

Photo Album - Prescribed Fire

California black oaks after a prescribed burn in winter

After a prescribed burn in tanoak forest

A professional implements a prescribed burn Mathew Cocking

Mathew Cocking

John Paul
35

Management Considerations for Brewer’s Oak

The main conservation issue with Brewer’s oak is probably the lack of fire as a life 

cycle process. This species relies on sprouting more than acorn dispersal for 

regeneration. It is unlikely encroachment by conifers is an issue because this species 

occurs on shallow soils where conditions are too harsh for many trees. 

As part of an overall oak management plan, careful application of prescribed fire can 

benefit Brewer’s oak patches, as well as adjacent woodland and grassland habitat 

patches. Where fire risk is a major concern, contiguous Brewer’s oak patches may be 

separated by fire breaks into large, distinct patches to retain its function as bird and 

wildlife habitat.

The predominant growth form of Brewer’s oak is as chaparral rather than single 

stemmed or clumped trees. Mechanical thinning is generally not recommended 

within Brewer’s oak patches, although mechanical thinning release treatments in 

adjacent oak woodlands benefit Brewer’s oak patches by improving woodland plant 

health on a landscape scale.

Brewer’s Oak

After a prescribed fire in Brewer’s oak habitat

Marko Bey
36

Guidelines

(1) Ensure grazing pressure from livestock is in balance with supply 

 Rotate livestock away from grazing areas to provide recovery periods for grasses and forbs to regrow

 Allow palatable plants to grow to the proper height, and thus to restore nutritional reserves and regrow roots, before 

reintroducing grazing animals

 Meet or exceed the minimum Residual Dry Matter (RDM) standards for annual grasslands/hardwood rangelands in 

your area. Contact a local rangeland specialist to learn the minimum RDM on your oak savanna or woodland.

(2) Reduce the potential for grazing impacts on oaks and wildlife

 Refrain from grazing oak recruitment areas during the dormant season for grasses, or place temporary enclosures 

around young oak trees to protect them during this period

 To promote healthy habitat for breeding birds, rotate cattle out of woodlands during the breeding season (April 1—

July 15) to prevent trampling and ensure sufficient grass cover to conceal nests from predators

 Use fencing to keep cattle away from wildlife-rich stream and riverside habitats adjacent to oak woodlands

Significance

Grazing, when managed well, can occur in healthy oak 

woodlands. Too much grazing pressure, however, can increase 

soil erosion, compact the soil, and favor non-native grasses, 

shrubs, and conifers instead of native grasses and oak trees. 

Oak regeneration is most successful in areas that have mature 

oaks that produce acorns and adequate protein-rich grass, 

which is preferred by cattle over oak seedlings. The effects of 

grazing on the health of oak systems are complex and require 

further study. 

Jaime Stephens

An Oregon white oak savanna 

with high Residual Dry Matter

Western meadowlarks live in open habitats, including 

grasslands and oak savanna. This species is well-known due 

to its abundance and conspicuousness, and well-loved 

owing to its bright yellow undersides and melodious song. 

Western meadowlarks prefer habitats with a large amount 

of grass cover. Females choose sites for their ground nests, 

which are often well-concealed by dense vegetation.

Habitats with heavy grazing can reduce the breeding 

success of western meadowlarks because short-cropped 

vegetation does not adequately conceal nests from 

predators. Also, trampling of eggs and nestlings by cattle 

may occur.

Desired Condition #6:

Grazing is Balanced

Jim Livaudais
37

What to Expect after 

Restoration

Within a few years after overtopping conifers are removed, 

oak trees will start to show results. Growth rates of 

California black oaks, for example, can double following 

thinning. Also, released oaks can increase the number of 

acorns they produce and begin building larger crowns. Oaks 

are slow-growing, so changes in growth will be gradual. If 

conditions remain favorable, oaks may expand their crowns 

for years. 

Follow-up treatments are often desirable to remove newly 

encroaching conifers. If fire is used it should be repeated 

every few years as needed, depending on the growth of 

competing conifers and shrubs. Invasive, non-native species 

may need to be controlled through repeated treatments if 

they persist. 

As your oak habitat becomes restored, new species of 

wildlife are likely to appear on your land. For example, in 

Marin and Sonoma Counties in California, the number of 

birds species at restored oak habitats increased steadily over 

a 16-year period from an average of 8 to 27 species. In the 

years following restoration you can watch with pride as 

your oaks trees develop to support rich wildlife 

communities and provide a pleasing landscape aesthetic. 

What the Birds Tell Us

Birds are excellent indicators of the health of your oak 

habitat. Birds are diverse and each species depends on 

specific habitat features, such as cavities for nesting, shrub 

structure for cover, and abundant insect populations for 

food. An oak habitat that can support many types of birds 

will contain habitat components of value to other wildlife 

as well. By observing which birds occur on your land 

following oak restoration, you can bear witness to the 

return of ecological health to your land. Birds provide a 

colorful, musical, and accessible window into the 

functioning of your land that can increase your appreciation 

of your oak habitats. See Appendix III: Monitoring Birds on 

Your Land on pages 45-53 to get started.

Jim Livaudais

Thinned black oak-conifer forest

Oak woodland with high-vitality trees

Lewis’s woodpecker

Mathew Cocking Kraen Hussey
38

A Landowner Success Story

Mark and Lisbeth LaCoste underestimated the 

amount of work and learning that would be 

required of them when they relocated to a 230 

acre tract of rural farm and forestland in the 

remote Colestin Valley of southern Oregon. 

The couple sought cost share funds for fuels 

reduction and pre-commercial thinning, but did 

not feel as though that type of treatment fully 

addressed the needs of their forested property. 

They became interested in restoration of the oak 

tree component of their forests during a 

conversation with Marko Bey of Lomakatsi 

Restoration Project. Marko described the open 

condition of oak woodlands prior to EuroAmerican Settlement, when the landscape was 

subject to frequent low-intensity fires lit by Native Americans. These fires maintained productive plant 

communities, helped oaks thrive by removing competing vegetation, and made it easier for Native 

people to collect acorns, a staple of their diet. This conversation prompted Mark and Lisbeth to begin to 

look at their property in a new way. 

When funding later became available for oak woodland restoration on private properties in the Colestin 

Valley through a cooperative agreement among Lomakatsi Restoration Project, US Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Klamath Bird Observatory, the LaCostes were 

excited to begin work. 

Contributing to the restoration effort was rewarding in so many ways, says Mark. We found it incredibly 

satisfying to engage in restoration work not only for the good of our own property, but also for the good 

of the surrounding community. We felt gratified as 

local interest in oak restoration grew and neighbors 

became involved in similar restoration work on their 

properties. 

Our biggest challenge was deciding how much 

involvement was right for us. When the time came 

for the on-the-ground work to begin we thought we 

could just give some general guidance and leave the 

details up to the professional work crews. But when 

we saw the initial results, we were shocked at how 

much the stand had opened up. 

We were uncertain as to whether we wanted to 

proceed further but when we brought our concerns 

to Lomakatsi, we realized that we could specify our 

wishes in a very detailed way. For example we could say, “Leave a 20 foot buffer along roads so there 

is not a clear view from the road all the way up to our house,” or “Let’s keep this particular tree right 

Mark and Lisbeth on their property in southern Oregon

A nice California black oak on the LaCoste property

Josh Budziak
39Josh Budziak

here because we like it, even though it may be crowding 

a single oak tree.” Once we learned that we could 

provide specific input on treatments, we were excited to 

watch the additional work proceed.

As encroaching conifers were thinned from around 

dominant California black oak and Oregon white oak 

trees, we saw new parts of our property open up that we 

had never previously really seen or explored. This 

inspired us to make walking paths and appreciate our 

property in a whole new way.

We feel comforted knowing that our woodlands are not 

only healthier, but safer in terms of fire risk and more 

beneficial for wildlife.

What really excites me now, says Mark, is thinking 

about additional treatments that we can do, especially 

using prescribed fire.

The LaCostes are planning for a prescribed underburn 

on 40 acres of their property under a cooperative 

agreement between the US Fish and Wildlife Service 

Partners Program and Lomakatsi Restoration Project. A 

certified burn plan and professional crew are needed to 

safely plan and execute a prescribed fire. The LaCostes 

are motivated by the expected restorative benefits of 

prescribed underburning following the recent thinning 

work, and feel that carefully executed burning, followed 

by reseeding with native bunchgrasses and forbs, can 

reduce the chance of noxious weed invasion and result 

in mixed vegetation patterns that restore forest health 

and habitat diversity for wildlife.

Overall they say the restoration experience has been 

positive and rewarding. For them, the best part was 

finding value in not just treating the forest to harvest 

resources, but in learning to become a land steward. 

Actually becoming a land steward through practice, says Mark, has been a very satisfying experience. 

The same stand of mixed oak-conifer forest on the 

LaCoste property is shown, from top to bottom, in 

stages of “before,” “during,” and “after” restoration 

thinning. California black oaks are easily visible in 

the bottom photograph.

Restoration Tip: To help prevent a mismatch 

in vision between landowners and resource 

professionals, it can be useful to first treat a 

small sample area. This will allow landowners 

to see actual results and make modifications 

before the bulk of restoration begins. 

Josh Budziak Josh Budziak
40

References

Altman, B. 2011. Historical and current distribution and populations of bird species in prairie-oak habitats in 

the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Science 85(2): 194-222.

Altman, B. and J. L. Stephens. 2012. Land Managers Guide to Bird Habitat and Populations in Oak 

Ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. American Bird Conservancy and Klamath Bird Observatory. 82 pp.

Apostol, D. and M. Sinclair, eds. 2006. Restoring the Pacific Northwest: The Art and Science of Ecological 

Restoration in Cascadia. Island Press, Washington.

Barrow, S.C. and M.A. Lardner. 2014. Canyon Live Oak—Current and Historical Perspective. Retrieved from 

http://ucanr.edu/sites/oak_range/Oak_Articles_On_Line/Oak_Woodland_Ecology_and_Monitoring/

Canyon_Live_Oak-Current_and_Historical_Perspective/

Bartolome, J., W. Frost, and N. McDougald. 2002. Guidelines for Residual Dry Matter on coastal and foothill 

rangelands in California. Rangeland Monitoring Series. University of California, Division of Agriculture and 

Natural Resources, Publication 8092.

Bond, W.J. and J.J. Midgley. 2001. Ecology of sprouting in woody plants: the persistence niche. Trends in 

Ecology and Evolution 16(1): 45-51.

Bowcutt, F. 2011. Tanoak target: the rise and fall of herbicide use on a common native tree. Environmental 

History 16: 197-225.

CalPIF (California Partners in Flight). 2002. Version 2.0. The Oak Woodland Bird Conservation Plan: A 

Strategy for Protecting and Managing Oak Woodland Habitats and Associated Birds in California (S. Zack, 

lead author). Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Stinson Beach, CA. Retrieved from 

http://www.prbo.org/calpif/plans.html 

Cicero, C. 2000. Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). 

Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca. Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online

http://bna.birds/cornell.edu/bna/species/485adoi:10.2173/bna.485

Chappell, C.B., M.M. Gee, B. Stephens, R. Crawford, and S. Farone. 2001. Distribution and decline of native 

grasslands and oak woodlands in the Puget Lowland and Willamette Valley ecoregions, Washington. In: 

Reichard, S.H., Dunwiddie, P.W., Gamon, J.G., Kruckberg, A.R. and D.L. Salstrom (eds.). Conservation of 

Washington Rare Plants and Ecosystems. Washington Native Plant Society, Seattle, WA, pp 124-139. 

Cocking, M.I., J.M. Varner, and R.L. Sherriff. 2012. California black oak responses to fire severity and native 

conifer encroachment in the Klamath Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management 270: 25-34.

Cocking, M.I., J.M. Varner, and E.E. Knapp. 2014. Long-term effects of fire severity on oak-conifer dynamics 

in the southern Cascades. Ecological Applications 24: 94-107. 

Davis, S.K. and W.E. Lanyon. 2008. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), The Birds of North America 

Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca. Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online 

http://bna.birds/cornell.edu/bna/species/104doi:10.2173/bna.104

Devine, W., A. Bower, J. Miller, and C. Aubry. 2013. Oregon white oak restoration strategy for National 

Forest System lands east of the Cascade Range. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific 

Northwest Region, Olympia, WA. 97 p.

Devine, W.D. and C.A. Harrington. 2006. Changes in Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana Dougl. Ex Hook.) 

following release from overtopping conifers. Trees 20: 747-756.
41

Dunwiddie, P.W. and J.D. Bakker. 2011. The future of restoration and management of prairie-oak ecosystems 

in the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Science 85(2): 83-92.

Engber, E.A. and J.M. Varner III. 2012. Patterns of flammability of the California oaks: the role of leaf traits. 

Canadian Journal of Forest Research 42(11): 1965-1975.

Engber, E.A., J.M. Varner III, L.A. Arguello, and N.G. Sugihara. 2011. The effects of conifer encroachment 

and overstory structure on fuels and fire in an oak woodland landscape. Fire Ecology 7(2): 32-50. 

Fryer, J.L. 2007. Quercus kelloggii. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retried from 

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fryer, J.L. 2008. Lithocarpus densiflorus. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved from 

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Gaman, T. and J. Firman. 2006. Oak 2040: The Status and Future of Oaks in California. California Oak 

Foundation. 55 pp.

Gedalof, Z.E., M. Pellatt, and D.J. Smith. 2006. From prairie to forest: three centuries of environmental change 

at Rocky Point, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Northwest Science 80(1):34-46.

Greenlaw, J.S. 1996. Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). 

Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Ithaca. Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/263doi:10.2173/bna.263

Grubb Jr., T. C. and V. V. Pravosudov. 2008. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), The Birds of 

North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca. Retrieved from the Birds of North 

America Online http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/054doi:10.2173/bna.54

Gucker, C.L. 2007. Quercus garryana. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved from 

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Gutierrez, R.J. and W.D. Koenig. 1978. Characteristics of storage trees used by acorn woodpecker in two 

California woodlands. Journal of Forestry 86:162-164.

Halstead, K. 2013. A ‘Bird’s Eye View’: Using a Species-centered Approach to Examine Patterns and Drivers 

of Avian Species Richness in the Rogue Basin, Oregon. M.Sc. Thesis, Oregon State University.

Hanna, I. and P. Dunn. 1997. Restoration goals for Oregon white oak habitats in the South Puget Sound region. 

In: Dunn, P. and K. Ewing (eds.). Ecology and conservation of the South Puget Sound prairie landscape. The 

Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle. 231-246.

Howard, J.L. 1992. Quercus lobata. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved from

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Hulse, D.W., J.M. Eilers, K. Freemark, C. Hummons, and D. White. 2000. Planning alternative future 

landscapes in Oregon: evaluating effects of water quality and biodiversity. Landscape Journal 19:1-19.

Jensen, E.C., W.R. Randall, R.F. Keniston, and D.N. Bever. 2008. Manual of Oregon Trees and Shrubs. 

College of Forestry, Oregon State University. 305pp.
42

References (continued)

Johnson, L. Scott. 1998. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, 

Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca. Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/380doi:10.2173/bna.380

Larsen, E.M. and J.T. Morgan. 1998. Management Recommendations for Washington’s Priority Habitats: 

Oregon White Oak Woodlands. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA. 37pp.

Lillybridge, T.R., B.L. Kovalchik, C.K. Williams, and B.G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant 

associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-359. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335pp.

North American Bird Conservation Initiative, U.S. Committee. 2013. The State of the Birds 2013 Report on 

Private Lands. U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 48pp.

Oregon State University (College of Forestry). 2014. California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii). Retrieved 

from http://owic.oregonstate.edu/california-black-oak-quercus-kelloggii

Perchemlides, K.A., P.S. Muir, and P.E. Hosten. 2008. Responses of chaparral and oak woodland plant 

communities to fuel-reduction thinning in southwestern Oregon. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61:98-

109.

Peter, D.H. and C.A. Harrington. 2002. Site and tree factors in Oregon white oak acorn production in western 

Washington and Oregon. Northwest Science 76: 189-201.

Rogers, R. and P.S. Johnson. 1989. Thinning sprout clumps in Central Hardwood Notes. USDA Forest 

Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, Columbia, Missouri, pp 1-3.

Standiford, R.B. 2014. Valley Oak Conservation. Retrieved from 

http://ucanr.edu/sites/oak_range/Oak_Articles_On_Line/Oak_Woodland_Ecology_and_Monitoring/

Valley_Oak_Conservation/

Tollefson, J.E. 2008. Quercus chrysolepis. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved from 

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Tveten, R.K. and R.W. Fonda. 1999. Fire effects on prairies and oak woodlands on Fort Lewis, Washington. 

Northwest Science 73(3): 145-158.
43

Appendix I—Plants and Animals in this Guide

Plants

Native

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana)

Brewer’s oak (Quercus garryana breweri)

California black oak (Quercus kelloggii)

Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis)

Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus)

Valley oak (Quercus lobata)

California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia)

Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii).

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)

White fir (Abies concolor)

Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana)

Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii)

Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica)

Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)

Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)

Ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor)

Hazel (Corylus spp.)

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)

Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.)

Buckbrush (Caenothus cuneatus)

Pacific mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) 

California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica)

California fescue (Festuca californica)

Roemer’s fescue (Festuca roemeri)

Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis)

Western fescue (Festuca occidentalis)

California brome (Bromus carinatus)

Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus)

Purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra)

California oatgrass (Danthonia californica)

Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha)

Sweetcicely (Osmorhiza spp.)

Non-native Invasive

English hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)

Armenian blackberry (Rubus spp.)

Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)

French broom (Genista monspessulana)

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) 

English holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)

Birds

California quail (Callipepla californica)

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)

Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Oak titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus)

Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)

Blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

Western wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus)

Ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)

Western scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica)

Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana)

House wren (Troglodytes aedon)

Bewick’s wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

California towhee (Melozone crissalis)

Lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena)

Black-throated gray warbler (Dendroica nigrescens)

Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

Mammals

Western gray squirrels (Sciurus griseus) 

Douglas squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii)

Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus 

 columbianus)

American black bears (Ursus americanus) 

Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis)

Reptiles & Amphibians

Ensatina salamanders (Ensatina spp.)

Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon spp.)

Northern red-legged frogs (Rana aurora)

Ring-necked snakes (Diadophus punctatus)

Pacific tree frogs (Pseudacris regilla)

Western skinks (Plestiodon skiltonianus)

Sharp-tailed snake (Contia tenuis)

Pacific gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)

Northwestern garter snake (Thamnophis ordinoides)

Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
44

Appendix II—Help with Your Restoration

Assistance and Professional Guidance for Private Landowners

Numerous agencies, organizations, and conservation programs can help you with your oak habitat 

restoration project by defraying costs, providing expertise, and offering other support services. Contact the 

following organizations to learn more:

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 

US Fish and Wildlife Service

US Forest Service

Oregon Department of Forestry

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 

CalFire, and California Board of Forestry

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Land Trust Alliance

Resource Conservation Districts (by county)

Lomakatsi Restoration Project

University Extension Services

Watershed Councils

Wildlife Conservation Board

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

The Nature Conservancy

The Conservation Fund

Selling Restoration By-Products

You may decide to sell trees on your land that are harvested as a result of your oak habitat restoration 

project. These harvested trees may pay for some or all of the costs associated with managing your oaks. 

Agencies such as the Oregon Department of Forestry and university extension offices can offer assistance 

and resources to private landowners interested in managing their own timber sale. Before beginning, you 

should consult with professionals to learn about applicable forest practices laws as well as timber harvest 

taxes on your small operation.

Special note: In California, state law requires re-planting of conifer species for most timber harvest 

operations following logging. This is counter to conifer-removal and oak restoration objectives. Regulatory 

mechanisms in CA to waive the requirement to plant conifers after harvest are uncommon and difficult to 

obtain. If in California, contact a local CalFire representative, or a local private forester for more 

information about options under CA state law regarding commercial sale of material resulting from oak 

woodland restoration. This law may change in the future.

Dealing with Slash

Oak restoration activities, especially the removal of large conifers, can generate large amounts of slash (i.e., 

branches and other woody residue left on the forest floor after the cutting of timber). Generally, the felling 

of trees in thinning operations is a small portion of the total work and the disposal of slash is the bulk of it. 

A landowner must decide how to dispose of all this woody debris. Here, we direct you to a resource for 

disposing of your slash:

 Go to the website http://www.forevergreenforestry.com/SierraCCWPP_Documents.html

 Go halfway down the page and click “Wildland Fuel Hazard Reduction” to open up a Word document

 Refer to section C.2: “What to Do with Thinned Materials” 
45

Observing birds can bring pleasure and a greater understanding of your land. Birds are among the easiest 

wildlife to observe; they are abundant, often brightly-colored, and many of them announce their presence 

through distinctive songs. Furthermore, it is rewarding to see your land provide for these animals as they go 

about their lives.

Birds also tell us you a great deal about the condition of your land. A single parcel of healthy oak habitat 

can provide food and shelter for an amazing variety of birds. Some birds live year-round as residents on 

your land, others visit on migration to rest and refuel, and others spend either summers or winters on your 

land. By observing which birds occur on a parcel of land, we learn about the capacity of the land to support 

wildlife and the benefits of your restoration activities.

Below are some simple directions for monitoring birds on your land. If you conduct bird surveys both 

before and after restoration activities, you’ll be able to see the benefits of restoration for wildlife.

Appendix III—Monitoring Birds on Your Land

(1) Choose a walking route on your land that will take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete.

(2) Walk this route at the same time of day, preferably within 4 hours of sunrise when birds are 

most active, on an approximately weekly or monthly basis. 

(3) On each walk, record how many of each of your four focal bird species you see or hear (see the 

next page to learn your focal species). Be conservative when recording numbers of birds, 

trying not to “double count” individual birds. You may also record additional bird species you 

are able to identify. See below for an example datasheet for recording your bird sightings.

(4) Use your computer to enter your bird observations into the eBird website: www.ebird.org/nw. 

By entering your observations you will join one of the most significant conservation programs 

in the world. Visit page 50 of this guide for instructions on how to use eBird.

(5) Have fun and share your knowledge of birds with friends and family. Over time, watch how 

your bird list changes as new species appear on your land and other birds increase in 

abundance.

Brandon Breen
46

 You will survey for four bird species when you monitor birds on your land. The four species you survey 

 depends on whether you are monitoring birds in oak savanna, oak chaparral, oak woodland, or mixed oak-

 conifer habitat. Some species, such as the towhees, are good indicators of multiple habitats.

California Towhee

Time: All year

Identification: 9”, brownish overall, 

top of head a warmer brown, and 

orange on throat and under tail

Where to find: on ground near shrubs 

Western Meadowlark

Time: All year

Identification: 9”, plump bird with 

short tail, bright yellow underneath 

with black V-shaped chest band, 

speckled brown above

Where to find: on ground, wires, 

fence posts

Western Bluebird

Time: All year

Identification: 7”; back, head, and 

wings blue; chest and sides reddish; 

belly light gray

Where to find: on low perches 

Western Kingbird

Time: Spring and Summer

Identification: 9”, black tail and 

wings, gray upperparts, bright yellow 

belly

Where to find: on wires and exposed 

perches

California Towhee

Time: All year

Identification: 9”, brownish overall, 

top of head a warmer brown, and 

orange on throat and under tail 

Where to find: on ground near shrubs

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Time: Spring and Summer

Identification: 4”, blue-gray above, 

long tail is black with white outer 

edges and white below, white eye-ring

Where to find: in shrubs or trees

Bewick’s Wren

Time: All year

Identification: 5”, dark brown above, 

whitish below, long white eyebrow, 

tail flits sideways and is edged with 

white spots

Where to find: in shrubs

Lazuli Bunting

Time: Spring and Summer

Identification: 5”, male is bright 

turquoise above and on throat, with 

cinnamon chest, white belly, and white 

wing bar

Where to find: singing from shrubs or 

trees
47

Spotted Towhee

Time: All year

Identification: 8”; black head, 

back, and throat; reddish sides; 

white central belly; white spots 

on wings; red eyes

Where to find: on the ground near 

shrubs

Downy Woodpecker

Time: All year

Identification: 7”, center of back 

is white, small woodpecker with 

small bill, outer tail feathers are 

white and tend to have faint dark 

spots

Where to find: in trees

House Wren

Time: Spring and Summer

Identification: 5”, brown above 

with subtle eyebrow, little barring 

on belly, tail pointed upwards

Where to find: in trees and shrubs

Black-capped Chickadee

Time: All year

Identification: 5”, black cap and 

bib, white and gray body, lacks 

the white eyebrow of the similar 

Mountain Chickadee

Where to find: in trees

Spotted Towhee

Time: All year

Identification: 8”; black head, back, 

and throat; reddish sides; white 

central belly; white spots on wings; 

red eyes

Where to find: on the ground near 

shrubs

White-breasted Nuthatch

Time: All year

Identification: 6”, white face with 

black cap, blue back, underneath 

white

Where to find: moving down trunks 

and large tree limbs

Acorn Woodpecker

Time: All year

Identification: 9”; black chin; 

yellowish throat; white cheeks and 

forehead; red top of head; white 

eyes; black body with white rump, 

belly, and wing patches

Where to find: in oak trees

Oak Titmouse

Time: All year

Identification: 5”, grayish brown 

with a short crest, lighter 

underneath, black eye

Where to find: in oak trees
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Lewis’s Woodpecker

Time: Winter

Identification: 11”, greenish-black head 

and back, gray collar and chest, darkred face, pinkish belly

Of Note: Breeding populations of 

Lewis’s Woodpeckers have almost 

disappeared from our region, but look 

for groups of these birds in winter

Where to find: in trees and flying 

above them

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Time: Spring and Summer

Identification: 5”, head is black with 

thick white streaks, chest is black and 

belly white, yellow spot between eye 

and bill 

Of Note: These small, active warblers 

produce buzzy songs and are 

associated with mixed-oak conifer 

forests. They are unmistakable if you 

catch a glimpse!

Where to find: in trees

Western Tanager

Time: Spring and Summer

Identification: 7”, white bar on black or 

dark wings, black and yellow bird, 

male’s head is bright red, bill is light in 

color 

Of Note: These flashy and beautiful 

birds prefer mature oak woodlands and 

mixed oak-conifer forests with some 

canopy gaps. See if you can find them 

on your land.

Where to find: in trees

Other Birds to Watch For
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eBird Northwest

www.eBird.org/NW

What is eBird?

eBird is an online program that has revolutionized the way the birding 

community reports and accesses information about birds. Citizens enter 

their bird sightings into eBird and then can view summaries, maps, and 

other representations of their data, as well as the data of other 

birdwatchers. The information also has tremendous value for scientists 

and educators.

What is eBird Northwest?

eBird Northwest is a regional portal of eBird that engages communities 

in the Pacific Northwest.

Why is eBird Important?

Each person’s bird sightings are joined with sightings from thousands 

of other participants around the world, and this wealth of information is 

used to understand, protect, and share information about bird 

populations.

Why is eBird Meaningful to You?

You can use eBird to manage your bird sightings while contributing to 

the understanding and conservation of birds. Contributing to eBird is 

one of the most enjoyable ways to safeguard our natural heritage.
50

eBird Northwest

Get Started Now!

Below are steps for getting started with eBird.

(1) Get online. Go to this website:

www.eBird.org/NW

(2) Sign In or Register as a New 

 User

(3) Click “Find it on a Map” to 

 Identify Your Property

(4) Put a Marker on your Property 
51

(5) Enter Your Bird Sightings

(a) Enter date and effort

(b) Enter the bird species you saw or heard, including numbers of individuals of 

each species

(c) Check “yes” or “no” depending on 

whether you are entering all the bird 

species you were able to identify

(d) Click “Submit” to finish
52

(6) Explore eBird Northwest

The eBird website offers interesting content and many ways to explore your 

personal bird observation data, as well as data entered into eBird by other users. 

The “Home” tab directs you to news articles about birds and the Pacific 

Northwest. The “Submit Observations” tab is what you will use to submit new 

bird checklists. The “Explore Data” and “My eBird” tabs allow you to look at the 

data in dynamic and fascinating ways. Play around with the website, and enjoy! 

eBird Northwest

This eBird Occurrence Map for Blackthroated Gray Warbler—a bird that 

breeds in oak habitats in the western 

US—shows the predicted occurrence 

for this species in the lower 48 states of 

the US during one day in May. Areas in 

white are predicted to have higher 

densities of Black-throated Gray 

Warblers. This is one of many tools 

eBird has for displaying bird 

abundance and distribution data. 
53

Oak Savanna Species

California Towhee

Western Meadowlark

Western Bluebird

Western Kingbird

Oak Chaparral Species

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Bewick’s Wren

California Towhee

Lazuli Bunting

Oak Woodland Species

White-breasted Nuthatch

Spotted Towhee

Acorn Woodpecker

Oak Titmouse

Oak-Conifer Forest Species

Downy Woodpecker

House Wren

Black-capped Chickadee

Spotted Towhee

Other Bird Species (Write-in)

Location:______________________________ Date: ___________________________________

Start Time: ____________________________ End Time: _______________________________

Distance Covered (~miles):________________ Total # of People in Party:___________________

Observer Name(s) _______________________

Private Lands Oak Restoration Project 

Bird Species Checklist

Species Name Number Species Name Number

©Klamath Bird Observatory 2014 eBird Northwest: www.eBird.org/NW

Please enter your bird observations into eBird Northwest: www.eBird.org/NW

Thank you for your participation!!
56