In the landscape
Shade tree · Specimen · Coastal · Lawn · Naturalized · Butterfly · Native · Night
Data sources
Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana · Tree
Southern Live Oak is a moderate-growing 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 and salt and wind.
- USDA zones
- 8-10
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- High
- Mature size
- 40–80 ft × 60–100 ft
- Spacing
- more than 60 ft
- 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
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.
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