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Live Oak - Texas Live Oak |
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| LIVE OAK |
TEXAS LIVE OAK |
Quercus virginiana
(KWER-kus vir-jin-ee-AN-uh) |
Quercus fusiformis
(KWER-kus fus-EE-for-miss) |
| Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak |
Escarpment Live Oak, West Texas Live Oak |
| Family |
Fagaceae (white oak group) |
| Description |
An impressive oak tree with a large, sprawling canopy once mature |
| Plant habit |
Large shade tree, with a spreading, downward growth habit |
| Landscape use |
Given proper growing conditions, oaks can grow to a massive size over a long period of time, producing generous shade
Provides food and shelter to a variety of beneficial insects and wildlife
Locate carefully; provide ample space away from structures and utilities |
| Average mature size |
60’ tall x 70’ wide (can exceed both) |
| Growth rate |
Slow to moderate
Long lived |
| Sun exposure |
Sun |
| Soil requirements |
Adaptable |
| Water requirements |
Low |
| Heat tolerance |
High |
| Foliage |
Evergreen except during short period of leaf change (spring) |
| Flowers |
Green catkins |
| Blooming period |
Spring |
| Fruit characteristics |
Acorns |
| Pests and disease |
Susceptible to oak wilt |
| Other |
Consider provenance (origin) of the tree; purchase a tree grown from a regional seed source to ensure adaptability, as nursery stock of unknown origin may not survive (ask your nursery professional)
Maintenance may be an issue, as oaks seasonally drop flowers, acorns and leaves
Produces high-quality hardwood |
“Botanists see no difference between the coast live oak and the escarpment live oak of the
Hill Country, and in terms of how they look, they’re right. They’re both big, powerful looking
live oaks. But there’s all the difference in the world in how they grow. The coastal live oak isn’t
nearly as drought tolerant; around Houston, it lives in heavy clays, often in seasonally-standing
water, and is usually draped with Spanish moss. One other difference; the coastal oaks aren’t as
cold tolerant as its escarpment relative. All the live oaks growing between the Hill Country and
the Gulf are hybrids of these two.
- Sally Waskowski, Native Texas Plants.
“Scarcely any other tree develops the distinctive, spreading habit of the live oaks...”
- Scott Ogden, Successful Gardening with Difficult Soils.
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