Live Oak

The live oak is one of those plants that is inseparable from Florida’s identity. Since live oaks live for hundreds of years, several generations get to enjoy each majestic, sprawling tree that is draped with moss. These trees provide many ecosystem services, and they are an excellent choice for homeowners who are searching for sturdy, wind-resistant trees.

Quercus virginiana is a massive oak tree that reaches 60-80 feet tall and up to 60-120 feet wide when grown under the right conditions. Although it can be trained to an upright growth habit, live oak will become multi-trunked with many winding branches if left alone. The bark starts out reddish-brown and lightly grooved when young, but mature trees have bark that is gray to nearly black, with deep furrows. When grown in the proper conditions, these trees can survive for centuries.

The evergreen leaves are oval and about two to five inches long. The tops are dark green and glossy, while underneath they are paler green and sometimes fuzzy. Flower spikes, called “catkins,” emerge in spring and are small and green. These insignificant flowers lead to acorns that are dark brown, oval-shaped, and three quarters of an inch long, with a bowl-shaped, scaly cap. Birds and other wildlife will flock to the tree for acorns.