The Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) has been my favorite tree since childhood. Our house growing up in Houston had a large Live oak in the front yard, with ample branches to climb and construct make-shift tree houses on. Walking around my apartment complex near Walnut Creek, I happened upon this beautiful Live oak (pictured below) and knew I had to make this my next biodiversity blog post.
The Live Oak is “the iconic tree of the South” (Arbor Day Foundation). This tree is commonly planted by arborist because it is known for it’s wind firmness, adaptability to various soil types and tolerance to soil compaction and salt spray. It’s wide canopy provides much shade by blocking out sunlight. The Live Oak grows to a height of 40–80 feet and a spread of 60–100 feet at maturity. It can live for centuries and it’s acorns provides food for many species including birds such as wood ducks, wild turkeys, quail and jays, and mammals such as squirrels, raccoons and white-tailed deer.
Find my iNaturalist post here.
Source: https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=876