Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: southern live oak

Family: Fagaceae

Distribution: Southern USA

Habitat: Forest, coastal plains and woods, occurring up to 100m

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 8a 10 to 15 F

Life form: Broadleaf evergreen tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Southern live oak is a large, long-lived, evergreen tree that typically grows 40-80’ tall with a short trunk, low branching and a broad-spreading rounded crown. Insignificant monoecious yellowish-green flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring. Fruits are ellipsoidal acorns to 1” long, with scaly cups that extend to approximately 1/3 the acorn length. Acorns are valued food for a variety of wildlife. Elliptic to obovate, leathery, shiny dark green leaves to 5” long have smooth edges. Leaves are evergreen. Wood makes excellent fuel because of its high density. Southern live oak acorns mature in one season.
Best grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils.