The symposium, held at Scripps College in Southern California, addressed most aspects of California's vast oak resource. Papers represented four major subject categories: ecological relationships, silviculture and management, damage factors, and products. Both scientific and applied information was presented, including original material not published previously. Individual topics ranged from taxonomy and historical relationships to management of insects and diseases and various oak products. In California, oaks' value for wildlife, recreation, watershed protection, and esthetics exceeds their value for traditional lumber and wood products.