Live Oak Tree: Caring for a Live Oak Tree
The live oak (Quercus virginiana) is a graceful, spreading shade tree that is native to America and may be just what you’re looking for. You can get a sense of the potential grandeur of this live oak tree in your backyard by reading about its facts. The tree reaches a height of about 60 feet (18 meters) and a width of up to 120 feet (37 meters) due to its powerful, curved branches. Continue reading for more details on caring for and growing live oak trees.
Facts about Live Oak Trees
When considering a live oak tree for your garden, take into account its size, shape, and other characteristics. The live oak seems right at home in the Old South with its rich, inviting shade. It is, in fact, Georgia’s state tree. The dense, round, and symmetrical crown of this massive tree. Thickly growing, the leaves cling to the tree until spring, when they turn yellow and drop. Aside from its beauty, the live oak is a hardy, resilient specimen that, given proper care and planting, can survive for several hundred years. But the tree is susceptible to the deadly oak wilt disease, which is carried by insects and contaminated pruning instruments.
Growth of Live Oak Trees
Growing a live oak tree is not hard to learn. The most crucial factor might be locating a location that has enough room for the tree when it reaches maturity. Apart from the tree’s height and branch spread, the trunk itself has the potential to grow up to 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter. Plant it far from the house because its wide surface roots have the potential to lift sidewalks over time. The live oak tree is a selfless tree. A live oak tree can be planted in full sun or some partial shade. Don’t worry about the dirt. The majority of soil types, including sand and clay, are accepted by live oaks, despite their preference for acidic loam. They grow in wet or well-drained soil that is either alkaline or acidic. Because live oaks can withstand salt aerosols, you can even plant them next to the ocean. Once established, live oaks can withstand severe winds and drought conditions.
Taking Care of Live Oaks
As soon as your live oak tree begins to grow, you must consider live oak maintenance. This involves giving the tree consistent watering as it establishes its root system. Plus, pruning is part of it. It is imperative that this enormous oak develops a robust branch structure in its early years. Remove branches that make acute angles with the trunk and prune out several leaders to leave a single trunk. Pruning the trees annually for the first three years of their life is necessary for proper care of live oaks. To prevent attracting the insects that spread oak wilt disease, never prune in the early spring or the first month of the summer.
