Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
Fagaceae · broadleaf evergreen tree · introduced
Last updated
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Height
40–80 ft
Spread
30-100 ft
Growth Rate
Fast
Size at 20 yr
25 ft
Lifespan
Long-lived
Site Requirements
Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Wet Tolerant
Soil pH
4.5-7.3
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Medium
Hardiness
Zones 8a–9b
Ornamental Interest
Bloom Time
March to April
Origin
extends from coastal southeastern Virginia
Watch for this season
Cytospora CankerHigh
Peak Spore Production and Dispersal
Powdery MildewHigh
Active Conidial Spread
Anthracnose (Shade Trees)Moderate
Active Infection & Secondary Spread
Armillaria Root RotModerate
Active Below-ground Growth
+ 3 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (13)
Ramorum Blight (Sudden Oak Death) Mistletoe Armillaria spp. — primarily A Armillaria Root Rot Discula destructiva (dogwood), Kabatiella and Discula spp... Anthracnose Cytospora spp. (Valsa spp., Leucostoma spp.) Cytospora Canker Microstroma album Frosty Mildew Ganoderma applanatum Ganoderma Root and Butt Rot Pseudoinonotus dryadeus Inonotus Root and Butt Rot Taphrina spp. Leaf Blister Phoradendron villosum Mistletoe (a True Mistletoe) Neonectria ditissima Nectria Canker Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew Inonotus dryophilus White Pocket Rot (Piped Rot)
Pests: Regionally Documented (14)
Looper Stem Gall Asterolecanium spp. Pit scale Platycotis vittata Oak Treehoppers Bucculatrix albertiella Oak Ribbed Casemaker Phylloxera spp. Oak leaf phylloxera Various (Cynipidae, Cecidomyiidae, Eriophyidae, Psyllidae) Leaf galls Neuroterus saltatorius Jumping Oak Gall Andricus quercuscalifornicus California Gallfly Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Oak gall wasp Bucculatrix ainsliella Oak skeletonizer Edwardsiana rosae Rose leafhopper Various (Cynipidae, Cecidomyiidae, Eriophyidae) Leaf and twig gall
Phenological Calendar
View full calendar (5 stages)
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| New growth flush BBCH 11 | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Mar 1-Mar 31 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | Apr 1-Apr 15 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | Mar 15-May 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
Data Maturity Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.