Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Trees

Live Oak, Quercus virginiana

Live Oak, Quercus virginiana September 19, 2006 Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Live Oak, Quercus virginiana	Live Oak, Quercus virginiana
Live Oak, Quercus virginiana	Live Oak, Quercus virginiana

Live Oak Tree Quercus virginiana, Beech Family: ( Fagaceae ), Live Oak Tree. Also called: . Live oak is a large spreading tree of the lower Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to southern Florida and to southern Texas. It normally grows in low sandy soils near the Coast but also occurs in moist rich woods and along stream banks. Live oak is the southern symbol of strength. It is also the state tree of Georgia. In Georgia we can find them lining the historic streets of Georgia's towns. It's reclining branches create a canopy of speckled light. The national champion live oak was discovered in 1976 near Louisburg, Louisiana. It had a diameter of 11.65 feet', a height of 55 feet, and a crown spread of 132 feet. Live oak remains foliated nearly year-round, dropping its leaves and regenerating new growth within a few weeks during spring. Height: 65 feet to 85 feet. Spread may reach 60 feet. Flowers: The staminate flowers are yellow - green catkins that hang down 2 - 3 inches. The pistillate flowers are borne on spikes Flowering Time: February - April. Leaves: Simple, alternate, 2 inches to 5 inches long by ½ inch to 2 ½ inches wide. Narrow to broadly elliptical leaves are usually stiff and leathery. The upper surface is shiny, dark green. The leaves are dull grayish green underneath. The margin is smooth and slightly wavy. Bark: Brown to reddish-brown, the bark is thick with shallow furrows and roughly ridged, eventually becoming blocky with age. Fruit: Acorns are ¾ inch to 1 inch long. Solitary or in clusters of three to five nuts. Largest part of the acorn is dark brown to black and shiny. Acorns are light brown within the cap that covers ¼ of the dark nut. Found: Origin, native to the SE coastal plain from Virginia to Texas, and in Cuba and isolated locales in Mexico. Elevation: 850 to 1,600 Feet. Habitat: Landscaping. Considered a Xeriscape Landscaping plant. Miscellaneous: Photos taken on September 19, 2006, Boyce Thompson Arboretum.