Quercus virginiana: Uses (Ethnobotany)
The wood is used for barrels, veneer, cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, and flooring and also has been used for pulp and firewood. It was used in ship construction especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Plant Profile: Quercus virginiana
Taxonomy: Quercus virginianaNames
Bay Live Oak, Live Oak, Oaks, Plateau Oak, Scrub Oak, Southern Live Oak
Phonetic Spelling:KWER-kus vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
Genus:Quercus
Species:virginiana
Family:Fagaceae
The Live Oak is a striking, medium-sized evergreen tree known for its longevity, typically reaching heights of 40 to 80 feet. It thrives in the coastal plains of Virginia, North Carolina, and further south along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. With a broad crown, it seldom exceeds 50 feet in height, featuring gnarled branches that can extend 40 to 100 feet wide, often adorned with Spanish moss. Although it is commonly referred to as an evergreen, it actually retains its leaves until new growth emerges.
The tree showcases alternate leaves that have either smooth or spiny edges, with pale, hairy undersides. Young Live Oaks display red-brown bark marked by furrows and small scales, which matures to a black, blocky texture as the tree ages. In the spring, it produces cylindrical male flowers alongside female spikes. The acorns, measuring about 3/4 inch, are topped with a warty cap that covers roughly one-third of the nut and take a full growing season to mature.
As a shade tree, the Live Oak is exceptional, providing a wide, spreading canopy ideal for large spaces. It adapts well to both clay and sandy soils that are acidic and well-drained, and it can withstand occasional flooding and salt spray.
**Fire Risk:** This tree has a high flammability rating, making it unsuitable for planting within the defensible space around your home. It is advisable to choose plants with a low flammability rating for areas closest to your residence.
**Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Issues:** Generally, the Live Oak is a low-maintenance tree. While insect galls may affect the appearance of the foliage, they do not compromise the tree's health. However, it can be susceptible to root rot and oak wilt.
**Quick Identification Tips:**
Quercus virginiana Feature Summary
Quercus virginiana Image Gallery
Tags
#shade tree
#full sun tolerant
#bark
#specimen
#wildlife plant
#native tree
#moths
#salt tolerant
#cover plant
#winter interest
#park
#wet sites
#small mammals
#food source
#fire
#high flammability
#NC native
#deer resistant
#nighttime garden
#oak tree
#coastal plants
#Braham Arboretum
#fantz
#larval host plant
#cover
#food source fall
#food source herbage
#bird friendly
#food source hard mast fruit
#mammals
#butterfly friendly
#butterfly larvae
#moth larvae
#Piedmont Mountains FACU
#Coastal FACU
#pollinator garden
#problem for horses
#audubon
#banded hairstreak butterfly
#gray hairstreak butterfly
#imperial moth
#juvenal’s duskywing butterfly
#edward’s hairstreak butterfly
#white-m hairstreak butterfly
#horace’s duskywing butterfly
#lawns
Similar Plants
Quercus virginiana is often confused with:
Quercus virginiana Feature Summary
Attributes
The wood is used for barrels, veneer, cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, and flooring and also has been used for pulp and firewood. It was used in ship construction especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Southeastern United States, Mexico
SE Coastal Plain of United States, from Southeastern Virginia southward to Florida, and westward to eastern Texas.
Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida. It's acorn are eaten by woodpeckers, blue jays, small mammals, wild turkeys and ducks.
This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
Acorns can be eaten after the tannin has been leached or boiled out.
Perennial
Woody
Wildlife Food Source
high flammability
Fruit
0.75- 1-inch egg-shaped acorns on long stalks are produced singly or in up to clusters of 5 and have bowl-shaped caps with tiny sharp-pointed scales covering 1/3 of the nut. Fruits are available September-November.
Nut
Brown/Copper
Gold/Yellow
Black
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
The male flowers are drooping, elongated clusters with 1 to 5 on pendulous catkins. Flowers bloom in April.
Gold/Yellow
Green
Insignificant
Catkin
Spring
Leaves
The alternate thick green leaves are 2-5 inches long and 0.8-1.5 inches wide, shiny on the upper surface and pale with gray tomentose hairs underneath. They are rounded to oblong to elliptic-obovate in shape with margins mostly entire but new growth and juvenile trees will have toothed margins. The base is round to subcordate to broad cuneate. The leaves last into winter.
Broadleaf Evergreen
Green
Simple
Alternate
Elliptical
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Entire
Crenate
1-3 inches
Glossy
Leathery
< 1 inch
Bark
The bark is dark brown tinged with red and slightly furrowed
Dark Brown
Red/Burgundy
Furrowed
Stem
Young twigs are tan to pale gray and covered in short hairs. Becomes darker and nearly smooth in the second year. Buds are dome-shaped, 1/4" long, and have reddish-brown scales.
Poisonous to Humans
Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if the young leaves or raw acorns are eaten.
Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin.
Seeds
Leaves
Whole Plant Traits
Tree
Native Plant
Poisonous
Broadleaf Evergreen
Rounded
Spreading
Medium
Medium
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
more than 60 feet
Coastal
8b
8a
9a
9b
10a
10b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Nighttime Garden
Native Garden
Shade Tree
Specimen
Deer
Wet Soil
Wind
Salt
Lawn
Naturalized Area
Coastal
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Moths
Small Mammals
Problem for Horses
Quercus virginiana Image Gallery
Quercus virginiana Attributes
Quercus virginiana: Country Or Region Of Origin
Southeastern United States, Mexico
Quercus virginiana: Distribution
SE Coastal Plain of United States, from Southeastern Virginia southward to Florida, and westward to eastern Texas.
Quercus virginiana: Wildlife Value
Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida. It's acorn are eaten by woodpeckers, blue jays, small mammals, wild turkeys and ducks.
Quercus virginiana: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
Quercus virginiana: Edibility
Acorns can be eaten after the tannin has been leached or boiled out.
Quercus virginiana: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Quercus virginiana: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Quercus virginiana: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Quercus virginiana: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Quercus virginiana Fruit
Quercus virginiana: Fruit Description
0.75- 1-inch egg-shaped acorns on long stalks are produced singly or in up to clusters of 5 and have bowl-shaped caps with tiny sharp-pointed scales covering 1/3 of the nut. Fruits are available September-November.
Quercus virginiana: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Quercus virginiana: Fruit Color
Black
Brown/Copper
Gold/Yellow
Quercus virginiana: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Quercus virginiana: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Quercus virginiana: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Quercus virginiana Flowers
Quercus virginiana: Flower Description
The male flowers are drooping, elongated clusters with 1 to 5 on pendulous catkins. Flowers bloom in April.
Quercus virginiana: Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Green
Quercus virginiana: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Quercus virginiana: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Quercus virginiana Leaves
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Description
The alternate thick green leaves are 2-5 inches long and 0.8-1.5 inches wide, shiny on the upper surface and pale with gray tomentose hairs underneath. They are rounded to oblong to elliptic-obovate in shape with margins mostly entire but new growth and juvenile trees will have toothed margins. The base is round to subcordate to broad cuneate. The leaves last into winter.
Quercus virginiana: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Color
Green
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Quercus virginiana: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Feel
Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy
Quercus virginiana: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Quercus virginiana Bark
Quercus virginiana: Bark Description
The bark is dark brown tinged with red and slightly furrowed
Quercus virginiana: Bark Color
Dark Brown
Red/Burgundy
Quercus virginiana: Surface/Attachment
Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy
Quercus virginiana Stem
Quercus virginiana: Stem Description
Young twigs are tan to pale gray and covered in short hairs. Becomes darker and nearly smooth in the second year. Buds are dome-shaped, 1/4" long, and have reddish-brown scales.
Quercus virginiana: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Quercus virginiana Poisonous to Humans
Quercus virginiana: Poison Symptoms
Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if the young leaves or raw acorns are eaten.
Quercus virginiana: Poison Toxic Principle
Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin.
Quercus virginiana: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Quercus virginiana: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Quercus virginiana: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Quercus virginiana Whole Plant Traits
Quercus virginiana: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Quercus virginiana: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Quercus virginiana: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Quercus virginiana: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Quercus virginiana: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Quercus virginiana: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Quercus virginiana Cultural Conditions
Quercus virginiana: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Quercus virginiana: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Quercus virginiana: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Quercus virginiana: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Quercus virginiana: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Quercus virginiana: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
10a
10b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Quercus virginiana: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Quercus virginiana Landscape
Quercus virginiana: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Quercus virginiana: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Quercus virginiana: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Quercus virginiana: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Quercus virginiana: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Quercus virginiana: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
