Celebrating Sacramento’s native oaks

by Taylor Elgin

October 3, 2023

Oak-toberfest 2023

Join us at Oak-toberfest 2023, for a special celebration of the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Prepare for an evening of festivities dedicated to Angelo Tsakopoulos, taking place at The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre on Capitol Avenue. Whether you’re a tree enthusiast, a food connoisseur, or simply seeking a great time, this event is perfect for you. Immerse yourself in the lively ambiance, savor delectable cuisine, and enjoy live entertainment with a performance from the B Street performers. Oak-toberfest offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow tree admirers and immerse yourself in Sacramento’s vibrant culture. For more details or to secure your spot at this memorable event, visit our Eventbrite page here.

Every October, we celebrate the remarkable oak trees found throughout the Sacramento valley in a month-long celebration we like to call Oaktober. From the many environmental benefits they provide to connecting us with our historic roots, these iconic giants help to make the City of Trees great. 

What oaks are native to Sacramento?

While Sacramento is home to many different oaks and oak hybrids, there are three oaks that are native to the region: the valley oak (Ouercus lobata), blue oak (Quercus douglasii), and interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni). These majestic trees provide more benefits than any other tree that grows locally. 

Image of a mature blue oak in a dry field
The blue oak (Quercus douglasii) is well-adapted for our Mediterranean weather patterns and thrive with wet winters and hot, dry summers.
Image of a mature valley oak's unique, twisted branches
The valley oak (Ouercus lobata) is the largest oak in North America and is loved for its majestic, arching canopy and picturesquely twisted branching patterns. 
Image of a mature interior live oak
The interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni) provides a wide-spreading, dense canopy that makes it an excellent year-round shade tree. It thrives in Sacramento’s hot dry climate and needs very little water once established. (Photo by SelecTree)
Biodiversity hubs

Oaks are a keystone species, meaning they are essential to our ecosystem and support thousands of other species that wouldn’t be here without them. From the cozy homes they give the squirrels to the feasts they provide for acorn woodpeckers and other oak-dwelling critters, our oaks are a haven to Sacramento’s native wildlife. By caring for our beloved oaks, we can ensure the survival of these interconnected ecosystems.

Environmental powerhouses
A felled log in the Urban Wood Rescue yard with a sign reading, "Carbon sequestered in this log: 4 MTCO2E"

As large trees, oaks are powerhouses when it comes to removing air pollution, cooling the valley with their large canopies, and capturing and filtering stormwater through their root system. These giants help clean the air we breathe making it safer for us to live and recreate under. They are also carbon storage champions – sequestering more carbon in their wood than any other tree in the region! Even at the end of an oak’s natural life, our Urban Wood Rescue yard helps divert logs from the landfill to create one-of-a-kind live-edge slabs and dimensional lumber. Doing so helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stores carbon for longer periods of time. 

Sacramento’s living history

Aside from the many ecological and environmental benefits of oaks, they also are a reminder of Sacramento’s rich history. Our native oak trees have witnessed centuries of change and growth. Long before the city’s bustling streets and neighborhoods, these oaks stood as sentinels of the land. The Sacramento Zoo is home to three of the valley’s oldest residents—300 year-old valley oaks! They are living relics that connect us to the past. 

 Oaks have been highly regarded by the indigenous people around the region. Acorns were a staple food for the Ohlone people, who processed the acorns into a nutritious flour. Tannins leached from the acorns could be used as a dye in ceremonial face paints. Leaves, bark, and other parts of the tree were also used for medicinal purposes.  

Show the love all year long!
A pile of acorns sit on a canvas tarp after being collected by volunteers. The volunteers-men, women, and children of all ages-stand around in the background looking at their harvest.
Oaktober is especially oak-y since it’s the month that acorns begin to ripen and fall!

While Oaktober serves as a great reminder to take time to appreciate all the wonderful benefits our leafy friends provide, you can show them the love all year long! With the support of donors and volunteers, we’re able to steward, grow and plant thousands of these native trees each year. Every fall, volunteers collect nearly 10,000 acorns that are grown into seedlings by local students. In the spring, those seedlings are then planted at reforestation sites throughout the region, ensuring the legacy of our favorite oaks! You can show your love by making a gift or volunteering with us this planting season!