Quercus virginiana     
Southern live oak   
Fagaceae Family     

Form: round, broad, large tree
Seasonality: evergreen; may drop leaves in very cold years
Size: 40-60ft with equal spread
Leaves: simple, elliptical, leathery, to 5in long, large variety seen in leaf margins (usually smooth); top dark and glossy green, underside lighter and silvery
Flowers: not important
Fruit: small acorn, dark brown or black
Stems/Trunks: irregular when young, when mature dark bark cracks revealing lighter inner layer creating alligator-skin look
Range/Origin: southwest US
Hardiness: to 15°F

Quercus virginiana

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• out of scale for most residential uses
• parks and public places
• roadsides

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, light shade when young
• Water: supplemental water; deep watering once per month or every few weeks
• Soil: amended; best in deep, uniform soil
• Propagation: fresh seed (acorn), easy; germinates in 3-5 weeks with no treatment
• Maintenance: low; pruning, removal of occasional basal suckers

NOTES:

bark detail (mature specimen)

best in low-lying areas of Tucson due to deep soil requirements

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This page was first created September 21, 2001 and last modified May 31, 2004.

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