‘Live Oak’
Description
The live oak is a huge and noble evergreen broad-leaf tree with large,
spreading, nearly horizontal branches and thick, leathery, oval, dark green
leaves. The bark is dark red-brown to gray and deeply furrowed, eventually
becoming blocky. The flowers, typical of oaks, are catkins that hang down
2-3". They appear in very early spring and dust the countryside with
yellow pollen. Brownish-black acorns about an inch long mature in the autumn of
the same year on the current season's twigs. The acorns are sweet and edible.
Live oaks are often festooned with Spanish moss, resurrection fern and other
epiphytes.
Location
Live oak is native to the SE coastal plain from
Culture
Light: Grows in partial shade or full sun.
Moisture: Likes moist, well-drained soil. Established trees are very
drought tolerant.
Features
Live oak is a fast-growing, yet very long-lived tree. Its life is measured in
centuries. The wood is very hard and strong. Dried live oak wood weighs 55 lbs.
per cubic foot, making its wood among the heaviest of any tree in
WARNING
Do not underestimate how large a live oak can become. Give them ample space!