The genus Quercus includes about 450 species of monoecious , deciduous or evergreen trees, rarely shrubs, native to Northern Temperate Zone and in the tropics at high elevation, south to Colombia and to Malay archipelago. Oaks feature prominently in the northern hemisphere mediterranean climates and are a vey important aspect of those environments in which they are found. Unfortunately, there are also threatened by the urbanization, fragmentation of habitat due to agriculture. Conservation, restoration, and education programs are not uncommon in these regions, though the general populace is still relatively unaware of how the demise of oak woodlands can cause significant problems for all aspects of our lives. These attract woodpeckers which, in turn, excavate more cavities that become shelter to other birds, mice, salamanders, moths, and bats.
Oaks are also hosts to mistletoe clumps that produce berries which entice still other birds.
Because they are so closely linked to our local environment, home owners should carefully select those oaks which are appropriate to their local habitat and climate conditions. In this way, not only do enrich their landscapes, they also provide urban extension of the wild environment. Dense Hom Oak forests once covered much of the Mediterranean Basin, but after years of harvest for building material and fuel, these forests are now most abundant in the western half of the region. These two species can be distinguished from the Holm Oak by velvety undersides of their otherwise similar dark green spiny leaves. All content copyrighted by source or author, and not to be reproduced without authorization.