Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana · Broadleaf Evergreen (Hardwood)
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8 through 10; highly adapted to coastal heat, humidity, and salty winds.
About This Tree
A long-lived, iconic tree with a massive, spreading canopy and heavy horizontal limbs. While young specimens (like the one pictured) are somewhat upright and irregular, they develop a vast, rounded crown with age, often becoming wider than they are tall.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, leathery, and oval-shaped leaves between 2 to 5 inches long. They are dark glossy green on top with a pale, slightly fuzzy underside; margins are typically smooth (entire) and slightly revolute (rolled under).
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to reddish-brown bark that is deeply furrowed and ridges into small, blocky plates as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas.
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round foliage; produces flowers (catkins) in spring; acorns mature in autumn; new leaf flush occurs in late winter/early spring as old leaves drop.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is preferred; requires moderate water when young but becomes exceptionally drought-tolerant once established; prefers well-drained soil but can tolerate occasional flooding.
Mature Size
Height: 40-80 feet; Spread: 60-100 feet. Slow to moderate growth rate. Can live for several centuries.
Special Characteristics
Extremely wind-resistant and sturdy; historically used for shipbuilding (U.S.S. Constitution); high salt tolerance; does not have typical autumn color as it is evergreen.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and food; acorns are a major food source for squirrels, deer, and turkeys; dense canopy offers nesting sites for birds; host plant for several butterfly larvae including the Gray Hairstreak.