By: Phyllis Griffard
Southern Live Oak, Quercus virginiana
Southern live oak is one of the most useful and picturesque trees in the coastal Southeast. The Acadian French name is “chene vert” and its wood is called cheniere, also used to refer to old beach remnants which are the native habitat of the tree. Growing 40-80 ft in height and 60-100 ft wide, it is found in moist conditions in most of the Gulf coast region but once established, tolerates drought, pulses of salt water and high winds from tropical storms. The live oak is semi evergreen, holding its leaves until late in the winter, dropping old leaves just as the new ones emerge in the spring. The dark green leathery leaves contrast beautifully against soft gray Spanish moss, draping the canopy.
The lateral branches are host to Resurrection fern which hold water to give it lush green appearance during wet periods, turning a stiff light brown during droughts. Many species of birds and animals eat the acorns of live oaks. Oaks are host to over 500 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars. They need oaks to survive and do not harm the tree. Our favorite Doug Tallamy statistic is that it takes 6000 caterpillars to raise one family of four Carolina chickadees! So when you see caterpillars on your trees, congratulate yourself for not spraying and providing food for many species of birds! We have nice specimens of live oaks in one and 3 gallon for sale at the greenhouse.
From the January 2022 ANPP Newsletter
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