Live Oak Tree

Southern Live Oak is a large native Texas shade tree with broad, spreading,
heavenly-limbed crown. Long-lived and sturdy, with low water use. One of
our best shade trees at an average landscape size of 60"T x 70"W. Evergreen
foliage is leathery, dark green and glossy.

ORNAMENTAL FEATURES

Southern Live Oak has dark green foliage. The glossy oval leaves remain
dark green throughout the winter. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are
ornamentally significant. However, the fruit can may require occasional
clean-up.

LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES

Southern Live Oak is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a
shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but
can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an
effective composition. This tree requires occasional maintenance  and
is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed.
It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard. 

PLANTING & GROWING

Southern Live Oak will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a
spread of 95 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet
from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines.
It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to
live to a ripe old age of 150 years or more; think of this as a heritage
tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average
to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular
as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even
thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North
America.

How to plant your Southern Live Oak tree?

Dig a hole 3 to 4 times wider than the container. The hole should have
sloping sides like a saucer to allow for proper root growth.

Carefully remove the tree from the container keeping the soil around the
roots intact. It helps to tap the outside of the container to loosen the edge.
Carefully slide the tree from the container. Don't yank the tree out of the
container as this can separate the roots from the tree.

Sometimes containerized trees become root-bound or the roots look like
they're about to circle the root ball. If your tree is like this, cut an X across
the bottom of the root ball and four vertical slices along the sides of the
root ball with a sharp knife.

Set the tree in the middle of the hole. Avoid planting the tree too deep.
If the root collar sits below the top of the hole, compact some soil under
the tree so that the root flare at the base of the trunk is slightly above
ground level. Using some soil, secure the tree in a straight position, then
fill and firmly pack the hole with the original soil, making sure there aren't
any air pockets. Keep backfilling until the soil is just below the root collar.

Create a water-holding basin around the hole and give the tree a good
watering. After the water has soaked in, spread protective mulch 2–4 Inch 
deep in a 3-foot diameter area around the base of the tree, but not touching
the trunk.

The soil and mulch around your trees should be kept moist but not soggy.
During dry weather, generously water the tree every 7 to 10 days during
the first year. Water slowly at the drip line.

Keeping your trees watered is important during their first year. Keep the
soil and mulch moist but not soggy. In dry weather, you should water
generously every 7–10 days. The water should soak into the soil and mulch.
Avoid watering so much that you see standing water.