Brewer's Oak

'Fall color / leaf senescence'

Quercus garryana var. breweri

Fagaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native

Last updated

Quercus garryana var. breweri (Fagaceae) is the shrub form of Oregon white oak. It grows only 5 to 6 feet tall, forming a low, spreading thicket on dry, rocky sites. The leaves are similar to the tree form but smaller.

Brewer's oak inhabits dry, exposed sites at higher elevations than the tree form. It grows in full sun on well-drained, rocky soils with minimal water needs. The dwarf habit makes it potentially useful for native-plant gardens where space is limited. Hardy in Zones 3b to 8b.

Quick Facts

Height
5–6 ft
Origin
Pacific Northwest native
Watch for this season

Primary Spore Release

Spring Canker Activation

Spring Spore Germination and Infection

Spore Release (Fall & Spring Rains)

+ 4 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Phenological Calendar

As of May 14, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1926.1 to 2121.1 GDD₃₂. Brewer's Oak has passed 'fall color / leaf senescence' (1774 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 14, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,121 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Kent / Auburn 2,113 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Seattle / UW 2,085 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Olympia / Tumwater 2,047 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,016 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Bellingham / Whatcom 1,994 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Sequim / Rain Shadow 1,926 'Fall color / leaf senescence'
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
'Bud break' BBCH '07' 1212 ''
'Full bloom' BBCH '65' 1495 ''
'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' 1514 ''
'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' 1572 ''
'First bloom' BBCH '61' 1594 ''
'Fall color / leaf senescence' BBCH '93' NOW 1774 ''
Range: 1124–1960 GDD₃₂ (9yr) · 66 obs

Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=220, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 14, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 30, 2026, then climate normals.

Diseases: Regionally Documented (13)

Pests: Regionally Documented (14)

Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.