Oak trees still dot the golden hillsides and valleys of California. How picturesque for travelers and artists. But there is much more to the great old oaks that still remain. If the old oaks could only tell us what they have seen. When one is chopped down for a building or succumbs to an arson’s fire the last remaining memories of where it stood are probably lost with it.
The people who lived here centuries ago perhaps ate its seeds, the acorns, that most of us rake away for compost or trash. Most of us regard the acorn as unpalatable. Yet, when the first settlers from Europe tasted the acorns in the new world, they compared them to chestnuts. Of, course they were familiar with the acorns from the oak trees in Europe. The name “acorn” has evolved from an Old English word, aecern, which came from an Indo-European word for berry. It is not a new world name. Although people in the new world had several names for oak seeds, acorn has been the accepted name for English-speaking people.
Which Oaks are Native to California?
In California there are 20 native species of oak within the genus. The most common are coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia -ro*), canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepsis -wo*), blue oak (Quercus douglasii -wo*), Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), valley oak ((Quercus lobata -wo*), California black oak (Quercus kelloggii -ro*) interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii -ro*), and Englemann oak (Quercus englemanii).
If you are lucky enough to have an oak tree in on your property, you might collect some acorns during a mast year. A mast year is when a tree produces an abundance of seeds. Some years, the oaks will produce very few, if any. It is important to leave enough acorns so that the tree can propagate itself. Squirrels and other animals will help plant the seeds by burying the acorns to eat later, and then not come back for them. Acorns were a basic food in California for many plants and animals, so it was always important that many young oak trees sprouted and grew.
The Acorn Culture
Before European settlers came to California acorns were often a large part of a meal for the people who lived on and took care of the land. Sometimes they were used to make a stew with wild game and/or vegetables, before many, who were new to the land, brought rice and flour from other lands to create tasty and nourishing dishes that would feed a large family.
Acorns, however, were not just used to stretch a meal. They had their own seasons, and they had to be cleaned and leached of tannins before they could be eaten. They were a delicacy in their own right, and it took a lot of knowledge passed from family to family over time to keep the acorn gathering times, recipes and preparation perfect. The oak trees were observed and tended carefully. Some families or clans would dig a basin in sand and pour water over the acorns to leach the tannins. Others would fill baskets with acorns and leave them in a stream until they were “ready.” This is the part that eludes many who try to cook with acorns without living in an “Acorn Culture.” It is a learned skill. It depends on the species of oak and the soil conditions and climate to know how long it will take to leach the tannins out of the acorns to perfection. This was all a way of life for most who lived in this region before it was California. Although there are many descendants of the “Acorn Culture” still living, much of the actual culture has been lost through time, even though there are those who have struggled to keep the culture alive. For some surviving recipes using acorns, try the Rehawk's Lodge website. Although they are not California native recipes per se, they are the result of much cultural knowledge.
The Importance of Knowing an Acorn
Until modern agriculture, it was always very important to understand the life cycles of whatever lived around us. It was very important to understand the weather and the conditions of the earth and water. With rapid transportation we have been free to think about TV and computers and fashion. But the culture that has led us to this point should never be forgotten. We are living on a vital, living land. If we forget that we are a part of it, we are constantly reminded by fires, floods, drought and earthquakes. At times when our culture fails us, such as when planes are held up due to weather or terrorists, or communications are down, due to a power failure or weather conditions, it is valuable to have the knowledge and wisdom of all of the cultures which lived in full consciousness of nature.
To find out more about California trees visit the California Oak Foundation website.
*ro - red oak subspecies
wo - white oak subspecies
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