Oak woodlands are found in the foothills as well as at lower elevations. These lands are dominated by oak species and have historically been managed primarily for grazing. Over 50 distinct oak habitat types have been described. Hardwoods are also an integral component of the higher elevation mixed coniferous forests. There they can be found in various assemblages, although seldom as pure stands of one species.
Riparian zones are another hardwood domain.
Riparian species help stabilize banks and reduce erosion in addition to providing some of the most important habitat for wildlife. Economically, the California hardwood industry has lagged far behind its successful eastern counterpart. The lack of interest in hardwoods has been due in large part to the fact that high-quality softwood timber could be logged easily and in large volumes. Now, with much of the old growth gone and increasing limitations on timber harvest, there is renewed interest in encouraging a sustainable hardwood industry as a way to bring economic stability to rural areas. New techniques and a greater understanding of hardwood ecology have contributed to the current optimism surrounding hardwood utilization.