Pacific Poison Oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum
Care
full sun, part shade
low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Adaptable.
2–13ft tall , 13–13ft wide
Mar-May
Deciduous
Resistant
Friendly
Chaparral, oak woodland, and coastal sage scrub throughout California, from coastal bluffs to 5000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Pacific poison oak in fall or winter when the plant is dormant, choosing a location with full sun to part shade - it's extremely adaptable and will grow as a dense shrub in sun or a vine-like form in shade. This native thrives in any soil type with fast, medium, or slow drainage, so your existing Bay Area soil likely works fine. Give it room to spread, as it can reach 2 to 13 feet depending on light conditions and will expand via underground rhizomes.
After Planting
Water weekly during your first summer to establish the plant, then transition to low water once established - poison oak is drought-tolerant and needs minimal supplemental water in the Bay Area's Mediterranean climate. Expect the plant to go completely leafless and dormant in winter, dropping its leaves after cold weather arrives; this is normal and healthy. The number one mistake is planting it too close to pathways or seating areas - remember that all parts cause severe allergic reactions on contact, so site it carefully in a wildlife garden where you and visitors won't brush against it.
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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Primary fall fruit source; forages on ground beneath shrubs
Fall and winter diet staple; forages beneath shrubs
Critical migration stopover fuel late August-September
Critical fall migration fuel source August-October
Year-round resident; consistent food source
Winter resident; year-round foraging resource
Winter resident; important overwintering food source
Year-round resident; persistent forager
+2 more species
Insects
Specialist larval host; overwinters on plant
Larval foodplant; spring and early summer broods
Native bee specialist; spring nesting period
Early spring queen emergence and colony establishment
Spring blooms provide early-season forage
Alternate larval host plant; spring emergence
Mammals
Fall caching behavior; important pre-hibernation food
Where introduced in CA; fall foraging for caching