LIVE OAK

any of several species of North American ornamental and timber trees belonging to the red oak group of the genus Quercus in the beech family (Fagaceae). Specifically, the term refers to the southern live oak (Quercus virginiana), a massive evergreen tree native to Cuba and the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains. It often grows to a height of 15 metres (50 feet) or more on hummocks and ridges but may be shrubby on barren coastal soils. The trunk divides near the ground into several limbs that may extend horizontally as much as two to three times the height of the tree. The elliptical leaves, usually unlobed, are dark green and glossy above, whitish and hairy below. A valuable timber tree, southern live oak is also planted as a shade and avenue tree in the southern U.S. It grows rapidly on good soil but is not as long-lived as was once thought: the oldest known specimens range in age from 200 to 300 years. Live oak derives its name from the fact that it is evergreen and durable: lumbered or injured trees send up many sprouts, which also produce sprouts if cut themselves. The heavy, strong wood was once used in shipbuilding. California live oak (Q. agrifolia) and interior live oak (Q. wislizenii), native to western North America, have holly-like leaves. They are usually shrubby but may reach 15 to 25 m or more; the California live oak is planted as an ornamental in other areas of the world for its rounded shape. A member of the white oak group, the canyon live oak (Q. chrysolepsis), a timber tree occasionally more than 27 m tall, is often called goldencup oak for its egg-shaped acorns, each enclosed at the base in a yellow, woolly cup. The thick, leathery leaves remain on the tree three to four years.