Quercus virginiana

liveoakfull
(Photo by Bucky Shiver)

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Taxonomy (1,2)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot
Family: Fagaceae
Common name: Live Oak

General Information (1)

Region of Origin: Europe
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Growth Habit: Tree

  • Size: 40-80 feet tall, 60-100 feet wide
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Flowering: Spring
  • Fruiting: Fall

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Ovate

liveoakleaf
(Photo by Bucky Shiver)

Stem/Bark (1)

  • Color: Dark
  • Texture: Medium, blocky

liveoakbark
(Photo by Bucky Shiver)

Inflorescence (1)

  • Female flowers: Arranged 1-5 in leaf axils
  • Male flowers: Catkins

Fruit (1)

  • Fruit type: Nut
  • Size: 3/4-1 inch
  • Color: Green, brown, black

Horticultural Information (1)

  • Soil type: Tolerates most
  • Maintenance: Easy to care for once it reaches 5 feet
  • Landscape Uses: Shade tree

Interesting Facts (1)

  • The live oak is the State tree of Georgia
  • The wood is heavy and strong and many ships were constructed from live oak. 

References

1) Dirr, Michael A. (1990). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, Illinois. Stipes publishing company.
2) Scheper, Jack. (2005). Floridata.com. Retrieved 4/1/13 from http://floridata.com/ref/q/querc_v.cfm

Prepared by Bucky Shiver as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek