YardRemake
A mature Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) growing in a residential garden bedFlowering Trees

In the landscape

Shade treeSpecimenCoastalLawnNaturalizedButterflyNativeNight

Data sources

Southern Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

Southern Live Oak is a medium-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 8-10, that matures to about 40-80 ft × 60-100 ft. It does best in full sun with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in spring. It attracts butterflies, moths and pollinators, stands up well to deer, salt and wind.

USDA zones
8-10
Sun
Full sun
Water
High
Mature size
40-80 ft × 60-100 ft
Spacing
more than 60 feet
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Foliage
Green
Bloom color
Yellow, Green
Bloom season
Spring
Attracts
Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
Tough against
Deer, Salt, Wind, Wet soil
Toxic to
People, Horses
Native to
Southeastern United States, Mexico

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Southern Live Oak’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

See the Southern Live Oak in your own yard

Upload a photo and our AI designs with real plants like this one — matched to your USDA zone.

Related

More flowering trees