Live oak is a massive, long-lived evergreen native to the coastal plains from Virginia to Texas, thriving in USDA zones 8-10. These majestic trees grow 40-80 feet tall with a characteristically broad, spreading crown and short trunk, often draped with Spanish moss in their native range. They thrive in full sun and tolerate a wide range of soils from average to wet, making them surprisingly adaptable despite their grandeur. Plant one and you're committing to a legacy tree that will outlive you, requiring minimal maintenance once established while providing deep shade and ecological value for generations.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-10
960in H x 1200in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Live oaks are architectural statements in the landscape, their massive spreading limbs creating a silhouette that defines the American South. These evergreens stay clothed year-round with leathery foliage, and in their native range they become iconic specimens draped with Spanish moss. Beyond their aesthetic dominance, they're remarkably low-maintenance once established, tolerating everything from coastal salt spray to poorly drained soils. Their longevity is legendary, making them true heirloom trees rather than temporary plantings.
Live oaks function as superior shade trees and rain garden specimens, their broad canopies providing deep, year-round shade while their ability to tolerate wet soils makes them excellent choices for managing stormwater runoff. In their native range, they serve as foundational trees in coastal landscapes and ecological restoration projects, supporting diverse wildlife while stabilizing sandy soils. Their architectural form also makes them valued as specimen trees in large-scale landscapes where their spreading limbs become focal points.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Prune live oak minimally to allow its naturally broad-spreading crown to develop fully. Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning that would compromise the tree's architectural form.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Live oak is native to the coastal plains and woods stretching from Virginia through southern Florida and into Texas, where it evolved to thrive in the sandy, often waterlogged soils of coastal ecosystems. The species became deeply embedded in Southern plantation culture, with live oaks planted in formal allées along grand driveways where their massive limbs created natural cathedral-like canopies. Over time, these planted specimens became landmarks and symbols of permanence in the landscape, their longevity and grandeur making them among the most revered trees in American horticulture. The species represents not just a tree but a cultural anchor in regions where individual specimens are named, celebrated, and protected.”