They sit deep in the acorn cup and are covered with thin, overlapping scales. Their fatty acid content and steroid compositions were examined by Dodd et. The composition of fatty acids determined the amount of hybridization between Interior Live Oak and Coast Live Oak. The Interior Live Oak's acorns have periods of dormancy which enable them to take advantage of available moisture. Fertile soil and adequate moisture are also needed for germination.
Moisture is essential for decomposition of the acorn shell.
The oak's embryo is located in its acorn and it must germinate away from the parent tree's dense shade. As elevation increases, germination time decreases. Once established, the roots of the Interior Live Oak can penetrate fractured metamorphic bedrock of the central and northern foothills to depths of 12 meter. The roots take advantage of available moisture and contribute to the formation of the surrounding soil. The tree can survive with yearly precipitation between 15 and 50 inches per year and is found with numerous associate trees.