DIRECTIONS
The grove is located just west of the Gazebo, off Garrod Drive on the UC Davis campus.
CLICK HERE for a map.

ABOUT
Thanks to Dr. John M. Tucker, professor of botany, director of the Arboretum (1965-66 and 1972-84), and a prominent oak researcher, the UC Davis Arboretum is home to one of the largest and most diverse oak collections in the country, focusing on trees from the southwest U.S., Mexico, and the Mediterranean region. Our collection includes about 100 species, varieties, and hybrids. Massive heritage valley oaks (Quercus lobata) line the Arboretum waterway, and about 275 evergreen and deciduous oak trees grow in the 10-acre Shields Oak Grove, at the west end of the Arboretum. Many of the oaks in Shields Oak Grove were started in the 1960s from acorns collected from around the world for his research. In 2001, Dr. Tucker created an endowment to help preserve the Grove for future generations.

PRESERVING OAKS
In California and worldwide, many oak species are threatened with extinction by urbanization, clearing for agriculture, livestock grazing, overharvesting, and global climate change. A recent global study of oaks found 29 species to be critically endangered or endangered and 27 more species to be vulnerable. In Shields Oak Grove, Santa Cruz Island oak (Quercus parvula) and Brandegee oak (Quercus brandegeei) from Baja California are both considered endangered in the wild.

The UC Davis Arboretum is a member of the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC) Multisite Oak Collection. We and our partners have committed to maintain our oak collections at the highest horticultural and museum standards to ensure their long-term preservation for research, teaching, and conservation.

SUPPORT OUR OAKS
Consider making a gift to support the work of the UC Davis Arboretum and the Arboretum’s oak collection.

• Dedicate a mosaic tree plaque.
• Dedicate a bench in Shields Oak Grove. Your message will be inscribed on a plaque on the bench. Please contact Suzanne Ullensvang at sullensvang@ucdavis.edu.
• Contribute to the Oak Endowment started by Dr. Tucker. Please contact Suzanne Ullensvang at sullensvang@ucdavis.edu.