As July fades into August, more residents are questioning how the trees in their home landscapes would fair in a tropical storm or hurricane. Some have a high potential to cause problems. Others, like the southern live oak, are less likely to damage structures.
Live Oak is often used as a generic term for any oak which does not lose its foliage during winter, but the most often identified species in this region is Quercus virginiana or the southern live oak. This tree keeps a full complement of leaves in the cold season, shedding them in spring.
A large, sprawling picturesque tree, it is commonly crowned with Spanish moss or resurrection ferns and is associated with images of the Old South in cinematic epics. Live oaks are one of the broadest spreading of the oaks, providing huge areas of deep, inviting shade.
It is capable of reaching 40 to 60 feet in height at maturity with a 60 to 100 foot spread and usually possesses many sinuously curved trunks and branches. The southern live oak is an impressive sight for any large-scale landscape or natural area.
Southern Live Oaks easily support Spanish moss and resurrection ferns while creating a shady reprieve from the summer sun for all comers.
An amazingly durable American native, it is a slow grower. It can measure its lifetime in centuries if properly located and cared for in the landscape.
Unlike water or laurel oaks which are common in north Florida, the live oak has deep roots which support its expansive structure. It is rare to see live oaks uprooted by tropical storms or hurricanes
It also is unappealing to the gall wasp which inflicts bulbous knots on some other oak species in the region.
Its best growth performance is in moist, acidic soil, sand, loam, or clay, but the tree is exceptionally adapted to surviving droughts. This species also tolerates alkaline soils as well, which is important in coastal areas of panhandle Florida.
Young trees grow three feet each year and the trunk adds about one-inch in diameter annually under ideal conditions. Once established, live oaks will thrive in almost any location and they have very good wind resistance.
These oaks provide a multitude of benefits to the native wildlife. The expansive branches offer shelter and nesting opportunities for a variety of birds.
The acorns offer a high energy food source for deer, raccoons and other mammals. Curiously, the large volumes of acorns can be toxic to horses and cattle, but not hogs and humans (if anyone gets hungry enough to eat them).
The heavy shade produced under the branches suppresses undergrowth and affords an easily maintained clearing for anyone wishing to enjoy the shelter.
Over time, water can accumulate in cavities between the trunks. While this feature may benefit animals, it accelerates the decay and decline of the tree.
When hollow spaces within the trunks result, the weight of the branches will split the tree. Though the standing portion will remain green for a year or more, it will ultimately die.
Live oaks were once an important part of ship building in north Florida. The hard and exceptionally strong lumber was used in construction of sailing ship’s support members and the hull’s frames.
Today this native tree is appreciated for its many other qualities, especially when someone is seeking a shady spot under a sturdy tree in summer.
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