The leaf shown above came from the darkest green clone in the center of the satellite image. Further left and a little uphill is still hybrid, but probably a simple cross between the two parent species. To the left and downhill are clones of Gambel Oak. Download the GE links for more details.
Tony and I went with Chuck Wullstein to visit a very interesting patch in George's Hollow (south of Red Butte Garden, uphill from the Huntsman Chemical headquarters). This post is mainly to give directions on how to find it on foot or on Google Earth. Tony wrote a much more detailed article for the UNPS website:
http://www.unps.org/hybridoak/hybridoak.html
Part of the patch was strikingly similar to the southern Canyon Live Oak, Quercus turbinella, with rough tough holly-like leaves. Apparently Dr Tucker, the acknowledged expert on oak hybrids, concluded that it was not 'full-blooded' but probably three quarters Live Oak and one quarter Gambel's. Either way this would favor the idea that Live Oaks actually lived here since the last ice age, or are still living this far north rather than being produced by long-distance pollination.
Hybrid Oak
Quercus x pauciloba
= Quercus gambelii x turbinella
FAGACEAE (Beech Family)
11/20/08 © WRG
