UC Davis Oaks

Skilled craftspeople from Portugal demonstrate the process of cork harvesting as students in the “Technology and Winery Systems” (VEN 135) class, regional wine industry stakeholders, and various campus affiliates look on.

Cork Harvest Comes to UC Davis

by Katie Ferguson Hetrick
Tue, June 11, 2024

On May 30, 2024, under the shade of the UC Davis Arboretum’s 80-plus-year-old cork oak grove, a rarely seen exhibition of cork harvesting took place. This traditional practice, unfamiliar to most Americans, involves the careful stripping of a cork oak’s outer bark without harming the tree.

Interactive Oak Station Promotes Education

by Indigo Wang
Tue, March 10, 2020

Community Engagement

Did you know that the U.S. Constitution was written in oak gall ink? This was just one of the fun facts, the Arboretum and Public Garden’s Learning by Leading ™ GATEways Outreach team was sharing Feb. 22 at the annual California Duck Days event.

Image of Taylor Lewis and Abby Hart at the UC Davis Arboretum's Lath House where they propagate limited numbers of trees.

Nursery Special Projects: All About Trees

Tue, September 24, 2019

Environmental Education

Highlights from Arboretum Teaching Nursery projects focused on growing trees for the Arboretum and Public Garden and the broader community.

Oak Circle of Life Gallery

The Oak Circle of Life installation is comprised of 43 hand-made ceramic tiles that form an interlocking pattern on the south seatwall at the entry to the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove. Each of the 43 Oak Circle of Life Tiles represents one part of the life cycle of a mighty oak tree. Enjoy this photo gallery!

Text to Give

Thu, May 09, 2019

Community Engagement

Special Offer for Clearance Plant Sale Attendees

Text to give $10 or more (see instructions below) to our UC Davis Oaks Forever! campaign and receive a $5-off coupon good at our May 11 Clearance Plant Sale!

Show your digital receipt at the Arboretum Information table near the check-out lane to receive your coupon.

Arboretum staff work to conserve genetic diversity of rare Texas oaks

by Emily B Griswold
Thu, May 09, 2019

Environmental Education

Since 2016, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden has been working on a collaborative tree gene conservation project focusing on rare and threatened oaks in West Texas.

Image of Taylor Lewis, nursery manager and Abbey Hart, special projects manager with the trees they are working to restore to Capitol Park in Sacramento.

Preserving the History of Capitol Park's Civil War-Era Trees

Thu, April 25, 2019

Community Engagement

In an effort to save part of this living history, two UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden staff members are going the extra mile to propagate the boxelder, as well as many other species in Capitol Park that suffered during the recent drought.

Image of student helping child place oak leaf on laundry line in UC Davis Shields Oak Grove.

UC Davis Oaks Forever!

Help save UC Davis Oaks Forever!

The mighty oaks are among UC Davis’s most iconic and beloved features, framing the Quad, Memorial Union, campus entryways and major thoroughfares while providing shade, beauty and essential habitat for wildlife.

Through the UC Davis Oaks Fund, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is working year-round to conserve and protect campus oaks for generations to come. As climate pressures increase, proactive care, education and stewardship are essential to ensuring these trees continue to thrive.

New Self-Guided Tour Highlights Iconic Arboretum Oaks

Tue, January 08, 2019

Student Leadership

Learning by Leading™ Museum Education create a new self-guided walking tour of Peter J. Shields Oak Grove that highlight twelve trees trees of international origin from this unique collection.

The International Oak Society is Coming to Davis!

Tue, August 07, 2018

Environmental Education

This fall, the Arboretum and Public Garden is honored to be the first to ever host the 9th International Oak Society Conference in Northern California.