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CALIFORNIA BLACK OAK (Quercus kelloggii)
Other names: oak, black oak.

POOR

This oak is found only in California and Oregon. It probably reaches ages in excess of 300 years and up to 3 ft. in diameter. The wood is very porous and decays quickly. 

The black oak bearing tree is almost always decayed. Though the tree may be alive, the original blaze will appear as a deeply rotted hole in the tree. On rare occasions, there may be some fragments of scribing remaining, near the edges of the overgrowth. If the tree has died it decays rapidly, and only the shell of the stump or portions of the root crown remains. Unfortunately many of the "oak" bearing trees marked by the original surveyors were black oaks, but there is no certainty of this from the record. Careful search must be made, for the white oak may be present and deceptively healed. 

Avoid black oak bearing trees if possible. If there is no choice, use young trees, 8" or larger. Use a narrow blaze, minimum in length, well drained, bottom at the root crown. Paint thoroughly. Bark blazing or scribing not recommended.