Why Plant Southern Live Oak?
The classic, Southern Live Oak is a symbol of peace and tranquility. This tree is a national treasure as it is easily recognized as an icon of the south. The magnificent trees have a low and widespread canopy that offers plenty of shade for comfortable summertime activities. Live Oaks have such a bold presence, with their massive trunk and dark green broad evergreen leaves, its timeless beauty will never fade.
These magnificent trees can be expected to live for over 200 years! In fact, one of the oldest live oaks in Louisiana is said to have lived over 1000 years! Southern Live Oak trees have tremendously hard, rot-resistant wood. The wood from these trees were popular in shipbuilding in the 1700 and 1800s. The USS Constitution actually received its nickname, 'Old Ironsides' because of its Southern Live Oak hull. It has been said that the hull was so strong that not even cannonballs could penetrate it! This just proves that the Southern Live Oak is one remarkable tree.
How to use Southern Live Oak in the landscape?
Southern Live Oak work perfectly as single specimen plants in gardens as they truly are the star of the show! These trees offer incredible shade for your backyard. Planting a few of these gentle giants can create beautiful dimension to lining your long driveway or defining property lines. This tree isn't just for you, but for the wildlife too! Once matured, this tree will be able to feed small birds and mammals with its acorns then, house them in their strong and sturdy branches. Live Oaks make the 'hammocking' life easy. Their strong branches are perfect for lounging in your favorite hammock or swing chair.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 8-10
How To Plant Southern Live Oak
Southern Live Oaks are one exceptionally hardy tree! They are low maintenance and have high resistance to pests and diseases. Plant your Live Oak in a spot where they can have full sun to partial shade, they like to take some sun breaks. They prefer to live in moist soil with good drainage as they don't like to sit in water for too long. These noble trees thrive in high humidity and adapt very well to coastal conditions including salt spray.
How To Water
Young and mature Oak trees need little watering about once a month. Leave it up to the rain to water your Oak tree! Southern Live Oaks are very low maintenance and drought tolerant.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. If planting in the fall, use Elements fertilizer while planting and start your regular annual fertilizing the following fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established as it gives your tree the nutrients it needs to produce lush new growth for the following spring.
How To Prune
Pruning is not required to keep the amazing spreading look of the Southern Live Oaks.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
