Live Oak
Quercus virginiana · Evergreen broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type, no specific cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10
About This Tree
Large, sprawling evergreen shade tree with a broad, rounded canopy, dense foliage, and heavy sweeping branches
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, oblong or elliptical leaves, 2 to 5 inches long, dark green and glossy above with paler, pubescent undersides and entire, slightly revolute margins
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to gray-black, thick and deeply furrowed into ridged plates on mature trunks
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States, coastal plains from Virginia to Florida and Texas
Growing Season
Evergreen with new growth emerging in spring, flowering in early spring, and acorns maturing by autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred, moderate watering needs once established with high drought tolerance
Mature Size
Height of 40 to 80 feet, spread of 60 to 100 feet, moderate to fast growth rate, long lifespan exceeding centuries
Special Characteristics
High salt tolerance, wind resistance, strong wood, and iconic sprawling southern aesthetic
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports numerous bird species, small mammals, and white-tailed deer which consume the acorns; provides vital nesting habitat