The Live Oak is one of Florida’s most
widespread oaks. Historically, its wood was used for ship’s ribs and knees.
Description
The Live Oak is an evergreen tree with wide-spread limbs that branch close
to the ground. It has a short, stout trunk and a dense, round-shaped crown. It grows to a
height of 40 - 50 feet and has a trunk of three to four feet in diameter. Its branches may
spread to be 100 feet or more wide.
Leaves
The leaves are simple, alternate, leathery, oblong, smooth on top and pale
and silvery white on the bottom. Leaf edges are slightly rolled under and are ½ to four
inches in length and 3/8 to two and ½ inches in breadth.
Flowers
The flowers are small and unisexual. Male flowers are in catkins. The tree
is monoecious.
Fruit
The fruit of the Live Oak is an acorn. The acorn is usually 3/4
- one inch long with a top-shaped cup that encloses 1/3 of the nut. The nut
is oblong in shape, and is dark brown and lustrous.
Bark
The bark is dark red-brown to gray-brown and may be close to one-inch
thick. As the tree gets older, fissures in the bark will deepen.
Landscape usage
The Live Oak is a good shade tree and is very resistant to
hurricane conditions. It is widely used by wildlife for nesting and cover. This tree is
very drought and salt-spray tolerant.
Interesting fact
The meat of the acorn is cream colored and may be ground into flour and used in
baking.
