Southern Live Oak Tree
Quercus virginiana
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Southern Live Oak Tree - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Southern Live Oak Tree highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Growing Zones 8-10
Classic, Long-Lived Southern Live Oak
- Well Known Historical Tree
- Very Long Lived
- Year-Round Shade Tree
- Broadleaf Evergreen All Year
- Magnificent Specimen
- Broad Screen for Large Properties
For a true classic, choose a Southern Live Oak Tree (Quercus virginiana) as a symbol of peace and tranquility for your landscape. What a national treasure! This tree's silhouette is instantly recognized as an icon of the South.
With a low canopy and wide spread, growing a stately Southern Live Oak requires ample room to fill out naturally. This is not a tree you'll want to prune much, or you'll miss out on that distinctive look.
With a bold appearance, this dark green broad-leaved evergreen tree features a massive trunk. This is perfect for a choice specimen tree. It is perhaps the most spreading Oaktree available, providing both outstanding shade and an elegant appearance.
The state tree of Georgia, the Southern Live Oak grows naturally from Virginia to Florida and west into Texas. Trees grow naturally along the coast and inland in woods and along streams.
It can be expected to live over 200 years. In fact, one of the oldest live oaks in Louisiana is said to have lived over 1000 years! This is one of the oldest living trees in North America.
With tremendously hard, rot-resistant wood, the Southern Live Oak was popular in shipbuilding in the 1700 and 1800s. The USS Constitution received its nickname of "Old Ironsides" because of its Southern Live Oak hull. It's said that the hull was so strong that cannonballs couldn't penetrate it...and that's just the beginning of this remarkable tree's virtues.
On the Gulf Coast, Southern Live Oak Trees often support many types of epiphytic plants, including Spanish moss which hangs in long, weeping garlands. With the Spanish moss spilling over its long branches, Southern Live Oak Tree has one of the most distinctive appearances of any tree and will certainly be an awe-inspiring and picturesque addition to your landscape this year.
Many famous specimens can be found around the United States. These include the Seven Sisters Oak in Louisiana, reported to be more than 1500 years old. The Emancipation Oak on the Hampton University Campus in Virginia is listed as one of the 10 Great Trees of the World by National Geographic's Society.
When other Oaks drop their leaves for a winter rest, Live Oak maintains its "live" appearance with vibrant, green leaves all year round. Although in colder and drier climates, the Southern Live Oak will drop leaves in the spring - it quickly starts to replace them with fresh new foliage.
Young trees have a good growth rate, although we do recommend sizing up to the largest container or tree size in stock. You'll be pleased with the presentation a larger tree makes in your yard.
This is certainly one of the most interesting and impressive trees you'll ever plant in your yard.
With a wide crown spread habit, incredibly strong appearance and its adaptability to a variety of conditions, the Southern Live Oak is the first choice for many homeowners. Order today!
How to Use Southern Live Oak in the Landscape
Use a single plant as a dependable shade tree for your yard, or plant a few as an impressive property line demarcation. In larger landscapes, consider lining the drive to create a traditional southern landscape look.
This is a perfect tree to anchor a wildlife garden. Don't be surprised to see wild turkeys roost in the branches. Acorns are a preferred food and will be eaten by birds.
Consider placing a low-slung set of Adirondack chairs, a hammock, or even an outdoor dining table and chairs under the low branches. You may need to prune the lowest branches while the tree is young to prepare for your outdoor entertainment area.
Don't go too wild with pruning, however. You'll want to maintain the amazing, spreading look. Please, use a light hand with the loppers. We advise careful planning - take time to study your new tree closely - and be willing to rework your seating as the tree ages. When it works, adding living space around a Southern Live Oak is truly a magnificent experience to gift yourself, family and friends.
#ProPlantTips for Care
With such a long life, it's obviously also an exceptionally hardy tree. Because it's resistant to pests and disease, you won't have to fuss over it.
Just give the Southern Live Oak a spot in full sun to part shade, in a moist soil with good drainage. It is tolerant of wet soils as long as the drainage is good, it thrives in high humidity and is adapted to coastal conditions, including salt spray.
Adapted to a wide range of soil types from acid to alkaline, sandy loams to heavy clay and one of the few oaks tolerant of high soil salinity. In all these cases, drainage is the key. If you must improve drainage, consider mounding up, or creating a raised mound of soil to plant in. Add soil conditioners such as pine bark to improve drainage.
Enjoy this amazing, strong, long-lived, broad-leafed evergreen tree in your landscape. Order today at NatureHills.com!
