Live Oak Trees. Quercus virginiana, Beech Family: ( Fagaceae ), Live Oak Tree. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Live oak is a large spreading tree of the lower Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to southern Florida and to southern Texas. It also is native to northeastern Mexico and Cuba.It normally grows in low sandy soils near the Coast but also occurs in moist rich woods and along stream banks. Live oak is the southern symbol of strength. It is also the state tree of Georgia. In Georgia we can find them lining the historic streets of Georgia's towns. It's reclining branches create a canopy of speckled light. The national champion live oak was discovered in 1976 near Louisburg, Louisiana. It had a diameter of 11.65 feet, a height of 55 feet, and a crown spread of 132 feet. Live oak remains foliated nearly year-round, dropping its leaves and regenerating new growth within a few weeks during spring. Quick Notes: Height: 65 feet to 85 feet. Spread may reach 60 feet. Trunk: The trunk is 3 - 6 feet in diameter. Bark: Brown to reddish-brown, the bark is thick with shallow furrows and roughly ridged, eventually becoming blocky with age. Flowers: The staminate flowers are yellow - green catkins that hang down 2 - 3 inches. The pistillate flowers are borne on spikes. Blooming Time: February - April. Fruit: Acorns are � inch to 1 inch long. Solitary or in clusters of three to five nuts. Largest part of the acorn is dark brown to black and shiny. Acorns are light brown within the cap that covers � of the dark nut. Leaves: Simple, alternate, 2 inches to 5 inches long by � inch to 2 � inches wide. Narrow to broadly elliptical leaves are usually stiff and leathery. The upper surface is shiny, dark green. The leaves are dull grayish green underneath. The margin is smooth and slightly wavy. Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA). It is also native to northeastern Mexico & Cuba. Elevation: Native at 850 to 1,600 feet. Hardiness: We have read reports of the tree dying at lows of 16 �F USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Habitat: Sandy dry to wet soils, especially by the coastlines. Usually found in sandy-loam soils, but it is also found growing well in heavy clays. Miscellaneous: Photos taken on September 19, 2006, Boyce Thompson Arboretum Near Superior, Arizona. Considered a Xeriscape Landscaping plant.