Scrub oak is a hardy California native evergreen oak known for its dense, shrubby growth, leathery gray-green leaves, and excellent wildlife value. Growing 6–16 feet tall and wide (and occasionally becoming a small tree), it forms thickets with spiny-edged foliage and produces acorns that provide an important food source for birds and mammals. Adapted to chaparral, woodland, and dry mountain habitats, this drought-tolerant oak thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for habitat gardens, restoration projects, and landscapes needing year-round structure.