Description of Live Oak Trees in Georgia

Identification

• The live oak tree (Quercus virginiana) is so named because it retains its leaves until spring, when the new leaves take over. This stunning tree grows only to a medium height of 45 to 65 feet, but it has a trunk diameter reaching up to 10 feet, a spread of up to 150 feet and a lifespan of up to 300 years, according to the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forest Resources. Its leaves are oval and about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Its wood is hard and durable. The live oak also provides a home for Spanish moss, which often can be seen hanging from its branches.

Habitat

• From Virginia to Florida and along the Gulf Coast to Texas, the live oak thrives in sandy soil and is very tolerant of saltwater. It is found throughout that southern swathe in flood plains and pastures, creeping into pine forests and even in sand dunes. The live oak is native to only about the southern quarter of Georgia.

Uses

• While it's now primarily used in landscapes or as a shade tree along streets, the live oak tree has a military history. Because of its exceptional strength, it was used in shipbuilding in the 1800s. The hull of the USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides," was made from live oak from Georgia, according to the University of Georgia. Because of its irregular growth pattern, it is not used widely as a lumber.

Health

• The live oak tree is very resistant to pests and diseases and requires very little maintenance, according to American Forests. It should receive some pruning, especially in its early years, according to Fort Valley State University. American Forests recommends using a professional arborist for the chore, however, so that the tree may be pruned in such a way as to achieve its full, majestic canopy. About the only pest the live oak encounters is the yellow-bellied sapsucker, which will peck small holes around the tree and return later to see if it attracted any insects.

Fun Facts

• The largest live oak tree in Georgia is in Waycross, where its residents call it the "Village Sentinel," National Public Radio reports. It is 86 feet tall with a 10-foot trunk diameter and its canopy spreads 143 feet.

  The live oak tree is very popular in the South. The Louisiana Garden Club Federation started the Live Oak Society in 1934 with a live oak registry, including trees from Georgia.