Trees in the Winter in Alabama

Live Oak

• Live oak (Quercus virginiana) is a native evergreen tree of Alabama that helps provide color to drab winter landscapes. Live oak is a large-sized tree that grows to a mature height of up to 70 feet with a 125-foot spread. The tree is hardy and low maintenance, well resistant to salt sprays. When grown in higher elevations, live oak is often susceptible to freezes. The tree provides heavy shade in the hot Alabama summers and is strong enough to withstand hurricanes and storms common in the state. Live oak trees are popular in landscapes as ornamental plantings.

Ornamental Pear

• Ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana) is also referred to as Bradford pear and the trees are grown more for their blooms than their fruit. In Alabama landscapes the tree provides winter interest by blooming with teardrop shaped, white flowers during late winter. The flowers cover all the branches even before the foliage appears on the deciduous trees. In the fall, the foliage takes on bright fall colors in shades of orange, scarlet, burgundy or yellow. Bradford pear grows to a mature height of about 50 feet and is popularly used as a single-specimen tree or in rows along driveways. Apply light fertilizer in spring for optimal growth.

Red Buckeye

• Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a native Alabama tree that blooms with red spikes of salvia-like flowers during late winter. The tree flowers are important sources of nectar for the migratory hummingbirds in the region. Red buckeye is also referred to as buckeye and achieves a mature height of about 20 feet with a 15-foot spread. Red buckeye is among the most well-adapted understory trees for Alabama landscapes and thrives in shaded lots. The tree has few pest-related issues. Plant anytime during the year and water every two to three weeks during the first year of growth.