The awe-inspiring Southern Live Oak

With nearly 500 unique species and more than 180 hybrids, the genus Quercus (Oak) is among the largest and most important of all woody landscape plants. Many of the species we are most familiar with are subdivided into either the White Oak group, characterized as having leaves with rounded lobes and acorns that typically mature in 6 months or less, or the Red Oak group, which have pointed lobes and acorns that mature in 18 months. Many are native to North America, and others of European origin have been introduced into our landscapes. There is no shortage of options for oak enthusiasts to choose as their favorite, but I have always been partial to Quercus virginiana, the Southern Live Oak.
 
Quercus virginiana is one of several species referred to as Live Oak, a reference to the fact that these species typically act as evergreens, keeping their leaves year-round, rather than dropping them in the fall. Quercus virginiana is not a true evergreen, but it does retain its oldest leaves in their full green color until the new ones emerge the following spring. Contrast this to Quercus alba, one of many oak species whose leaves turn brown in fall but remain on the tree  until spring.

Above, top photo: The Southern Live Oak can grew up to 50 feet tall, with branches reaching out to 40 to 100 feet wide. The wide canopy of Quercus virginiana provides welcome shade on summer days. Photo: D. Goldman, USDA, CC BY-NC 4.0
Above, bottom photo: Live Oaks have wide trunks. As the tree ages, the bark becomes black. Photo:  J. Robbins, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Above, right:  Leaves: Although the Southern Live Oak is not a true evergreen, it retains its leaves year-round, and the older leaves remain green through the fall until new leaves emerge in the spring. Photo: S. Zona, CC BY-NC 2.0

The immaculate form of the Southern Live Oak is what has always appealed to me. It  grows to a height of about 50 feet tall, with a mature width of up to twice that. Branches are gnarled, twisted and hang low, giving each tree a tremendous amount of character. With such an impressive canopy, these trees are quite easily recognizable and cast great shade. Historically, the Southern Live Oak on the campus of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia is known as ‘The Emancipation Oak,’ as it was an early gathering spot for freed slaves to study and learn.
 
A tree this size isn’t an easy fit for modern landscapes, so you won’t see these for sale in nurseries nearly as frequently as smaller oak species. You will, however, often find Quercus virginiana in parks, public gardens, large older properties, and historic areas. In the southeast, particularly close to the coast, you will often see Spanish moss hanging from the branches. Spanish moss is not a parasitic plant like mistletoe. Rather, Spanish moss uses the tree for physical support. This moss thrives in areas of high humidity, and obtains moisture and nutrition from the scales on its leaves and stems.

Quercus virginiana supports many species of butterflies, and its acorns are used as food by woodpeckers, blue jays, ducks, turkeys, and many small mammals. Wood from the Southern Live Oak was commonly used for construction in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is still used for flooring, cabinetry and other types of furniture.  
 
Matthew Stevens is the County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pitt County Center. If you have questions about this article or gardening in general, please contact the Pitt County Extension Master Gardeners at [email protected] or 252-902-1705.