Plant Oaks

Ojai’s iconic Coast Live Oaks and Valley Oaks are falling fast, thanks to invasive Shot Hole Borer beetles, prolonged drought stress, and poor management.

Oaks provide critical habitat for endangered species.

Plant an oak tree – Free Coast Live Oak seedlings available.

Grow appropriate native plants under and around your oaks

Like Hummingbird Sage, Coffeeberry, Yerba Buena, or California Aster. Ask your local nursery for recommendations.

Don’t plant stuff that needs water

Or a lawn — or both your tree and your plantings will be sick.

Don’t water a native oak tree

Native oaks are adapted to our climate, summer water will kill your tree eventually. This includes watering other plants in your yard that are within the root zone of your oak.

Leave the leaves

Your bug friends need decaying oak leaves under the tree for habitat, and the leaf mulch helps beneficial fungi thrive. Create a leaf mulch zone around the trunk that extends at least a few feet.

Do not use pesticides –

Let your bird friends do the work of eating insects.