Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Alex X. Niemiera, Professor, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech

Summary: Foliage: Evergreen broadleaf Height: 40 feet Spread: 60 feet Shape: Spreading A massive and majestic shade tree with evergreen foliage that is bright olive-green when new and changes to a glossy, dark green when mature.

Plant Needs: Zone: 7b to 10 Light: Partial shade to full sun Moisture: Wet to moist to average Soil Type: Sandy, loam, or clay pH Range: 3.7 to 7.0

Functions: Suggested uses for this plant include shade, street tree, and specimen plant.

Planting Notes: Transplant small size trees. Tolerates soils ranging from light sand to heavy and compact silt and clay. Tolerates a wide range of moisture conditions. Tolerates salt spray. Requires large area for branches and roots to spread.

Care: Prune when young to establish main branches.

Problems: No serious pest or disease problems. Gall insect is more unsightly than damaging. Susceptible to root rot in coastal areas.

Alternatives: Consult local garden centers, historic or public gardens and arboreta regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area. Cultivars of Quercus virginiana: no important cultivars.

Comments: An evergreen member of the oak family, the live oak is cold hardy in the Tidewater area and as far north as Williamsburg. A magnificent shade tree; however, its large, wide-spreading, horizontal branches make it inappropriate for small properties. The acorns of the live oak are eaten by many animals.

This material was originally developed by Carol Ness as part of the Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg Foundation.

2018 Virginia Tech 2901-1056

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.