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| **LIVE OAK**                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| ***Quercus virginiana* L**                                            |
|                                                                       |
| plant symbol = QUVI                                                   |
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####### Contributed By: USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center & the Biota of North America Program

## Alternate Name

Virginia live oak

## Uses

*Erosion Control*: This is an excellent species for reforestation to
prevent erosion on originally cleared land for agriculture. It also has
the potential for revegetating coalmine spoils.

*Wildlife:* The live oak acorns are important food source for many birds
and mammals including northern bobwhite, Florida scrub jay, mallard,
sapsuckers, wild turkey, black bear, squirrels, and white-tailed deer.
This species provides cover for birds and mammals. The rounded clumps of
ball moss that are found in live oak are necessary for nest
construction.

*Timber*: The live oak wood is heavy and strong but of little use
commercially.

*Recreation and Beautification:* Live oak is used for shade and as an
ornamental. It is considered "one of the noblest trees in the world and
virtually an emblem of the Old South". Today live oaks are protected for
public enjoyment.

## Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

## Description

*General*: This native tree can grow to an average of 50 feet tall and
36-48 inches in diameter, but can have trunks over 70 inches in
diameter. The bark is furrowed longitudinally, and the small acorns are
long and tapered. The bark and twigs are dark to light grayish color and
becomes darker with age. The leaves are thick, shiny, and dark green on
top, lighter below. Small flowers are produced when new leaves are
grown. The fruit, which is an acorn, has a 1 inch long cup, somewhat
narrowed at the base. Root crowns and roots survive fire and sprout
vigorously. ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.7888888888888888in"
height="2.1125in"}

## *Distribution*: Live oak is most commonly found on the lower Coastal Plain of southeastern United States. 

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

## Adaptation

Live oak grows in moist to dry sites. It withstands occasional floods,
but not constant saturation. It is resistant to salt spray and high soil
salinity. Live oak grows best in well-drained sandy loam soils but also
grows in clay and alluvial soils. Live oak is intermediate in shade
tolerance.

## Establishment

Live oak is monoecious. Germination is hypogeal and occurs shortly after
seedfall if the site is moist and warm. Live oak is fast growing if well
watered and soil conditions are good. Seedlings grow 4 feet in the first
year. Under ideal conditions, a live oak can attain a dbh. of 54 inches
in less that 70 years. Live oak sprouts from the collar and roots, and
forms dense clones up to 66 feet in diameter.

## Management

Once established, live oak withstands competition. It is extremely salt
tolerant and this resistance may account for its dominance in many
climax coastal forests in the northern part of its range. Dense stands
of live oak reduce forage production for livestock. Live oak is
extremely hard to kill because it sprouts vigorously from the root
collar and roots.

## Pests

Some of the pests that causes live oak decline is wilt disease, leaf
blister, heartwood decay, gall wasps, and borers, which attacks roots of
young live oak. Live oak is extremely susceptible to freezing
temperatures and acid rain.

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Materials are readily available through nurseries within its range.

## References

Dirr, M.A. 1990. *Manual of woody landscape plants: their
identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and
uses*. 3^rd^ ed. Stipes, Champaign, Illinois.

Duncan, W.H. & M.B. Duncan 1988. *Trees of the Southeastern United
States.* University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia.

Elias, T.S. 1989. *Field guide to North American trees*. Revised ed.
Grolier Book Clubs Inc., Danbury, Connecticut.

Flint, H.L. 1983. *Landscape plants for eastern North America*. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc, New York, New York.

Harrar, E.S. & J.G. Harrar. 1962. *Guide to southern trees*. 2^nd^ ed.
Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York.

Little, E.E. 1996. *National Audubon Society field guide to North
American trees: Eastern region*. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York.

USDA Forest Service 1974. *Seeds of woody plants in the United States*.
Agricultural Handbook 450. USDA, Washington, DC.

USDA Forest Service 1990. *Silvics of North America*. Agricultural
Handbook 654. Forest Service, USDA, Washington, DC.

Young, J. A. & C.G. Young. 1992. *Seeds of woody plants in North
America*. Revised and enlarged ed. Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon.

## Prepared By

### Guy Nesom

Formerly Biota of North America Program, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

## Species Coordinator

### Lincoln M. Moore

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Edited: 08apr02 ahv; 25feb03 ahv

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> and Plant
Materials Program Web sites
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>.

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