Live Oak
Quercus virginiana

PLANT TYPE: Medium tree AVERAGE SIZE: 25 to 80 feet tall and up to 100 feet wide GROWTH RATE: Slow to medium LEAF: Thick, leathery, oval, dark green leaves. The bark is dark red-brown to gray and deeply furrowed, eventually becoming blocky. FLOWER: Typical oak; females 1 to 5 together in axils of leaves; male in catkins. Brownish-black acorns about an inch long mature in autumn. GROWING CONDITIONS LIGHT: Light shade to full sun WATER: Likes moist, well-drained soil. Established trees are very drought tolerant. CARE: Low maintenance once established. Fertilize in March, June, and October. Click here for fertilizer coupon!

 Source: Floridata

A graceful southern classic

Probably the ultimate southern shade tree. It also is grown widely as an avenue tree, set about 90' apart. Live oak tolerates auto exhaust and forms stately "canopy roads" in southern cities. A majestic and very beautiful southern American tree.

Live oak is a medium-growing, yet very long-lived tree. Its life is measured in centuries. The bark is dark red-brown to gray and deeply furrowed, eventually becoming blocky. 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 North America. There is no better wood for fuel or for charcoal cooking. During the hey-day of wooden sailing ships, the US navy bought large tracts of live oak for the exclusive use of the government's ship builders. The massive, durable arching limbs were sought for ship's ribs and knees. The live oak is the state tree of Georgia.

NOTE: Do not underestimate how large a live oak can become. Give them ample space!