🌳 Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

The Live Oak is Florida’s signature shade tree — iconic, massive, and timeless. Known for its wide-spreading canopy, evergreen foliage, and incredible strength, it provides beauty, habitat, and cooling shade for generations. A true Southern classic, it thrives in Central Florida landscapes and becomes more impressive with age.

🌸 Foliage & Form

• Foliage: Dark green, leathery leaves that persist year-round (semi-evergreen, brief spring leaf drop)

• Form: Massive, spreading canopy with strong, horizontal branches

• Habit: Majestic, long-lived, evergreen oak with dense shade

🌱 Plant Details

• Type: Evergreen shade tree

• Mature Size: 40–60 ft. tall × 60–100 ft. wide

• Growth Habit: Broad, rounded crown with strong branching

• Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained; tolerates sandy, clay, and alkaline soils

• Water Needs: Low once established; drought tolerant

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 7–10

• Maintenance: Low; minimal pruning, long-lived and sturdy

🌟 Why We Love It

• Florida’s most iconic shade tree

• Wide, cooling canopy perfect for yards and parks

• Provides habitat for birds and wildlife

• Strong, wind-resistant structure once established

🌼 Landscape Uses

• Legacy shade tree for large yards or estates

• Statement tree in front or back yards

• Parks, campuses, and community spaces

• Driveway or avenue plantings for a grand canopy effect

⚠️ Plant Notes

• Needs space — best for large yards or open areas

• Drops acorns seasonally (wildlife food source)

• Brief spring leaf drop as old leaves shed before new growth

• Prune carefully when young to establish strong structure

✅ Level To Leaf Tip: Plant a Live Oak as your forever tree — give it room to spread, and in time it will provide generations of shade, beauty, and Southern charm.