The tendency for the tree members of the live oak group (Quercus fusiformis, Quercus geminata, Quercus minima and Quercus virginiana) to produce rhizomatous growth and clonal shrubs in juvenile stages, and in response to damage, fire, and poor soil conditions, has led to considerable confusion in delimiting these species[].

Common Name: Live Oak

General Information

Quercus virginiana is an evergreen tree with a very wide, dense, spreading crown that, in mature trees, can be up to 50 metres wide; the tree can grow 17 - 24 metres tall[]. Occasionally the plant can be much smaller and shrub-like, often spreading at the roots by means of rhizomes[]. The bole of mature trees can be 180cm or more in diameter, usually branching from fairly low down[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The tree is harvested commercially as a timber crop. Since the crown is low and widespreading, it is commonly used as a shade tree and an ornamental[].
Though oak decline is problematic for this species in Texas, there are no reported range wide threats impacting upon the survival of this species. There are no hard data on population numbers, however it is a common species throughout its range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain tannins. Whilst tannins are found in many foods, and have a range of medicinal uses. They are usually only present in low concentrations. In some foods made from oaks (particularly the seeds), the tannin content can be quite high unless the food is treated to reduce tannin content.
Tannins are only of low toxicity and, because of their bitter taste and astringency, are unlikely to be eaten in large quantities. However, if they are taken in excess, they can cause stomach pains; constipation followed by bloody diarrhoea: excessive thirst; and excessive urination[].

Botanical References

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Range

South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida and west to Texas.

Habitat

Sandy dry to wet soils, occasionally in heavy clay, growing especially by the coast in dry sandy woods, moist rich woods or wet woods; at elevations up to 100 metres[, , , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Quercus virginiana is a moderately cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -15°c when dormant. It grows best in areas with hot summers. In areas with cooler summers, such as the maritime regions of the temperate zone, it often grows poorly, failing to properly ripen its wood and suffering frost damage over the winter[, ].
Grows best in a sunny or moderately sunny position, though young plants tolerate reasonable levels of side shade[]. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, but prefers a good deep fertile loam which can be on the stiff side[, ]. Trees can stand considerable salinity, often growing close to the sea[]. They tolerate moderate exposure, including salt-laden winds, surviving well but being somewhat stunted[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
This species seems to be susceptible to soil types, producing dwarf forms and diverse leaf forms under certain conditions[].
The tree flowers on new growth produced in spring, the seed ripening in its first year[, ]. Abundant crops are usually produced in the wild[].
Seedlings soon develop a taproot and become intolerant of root disturbance, they should be planted into their permanent positions whilst young[].
This species is the state tree of Georgia[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of the genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , ]. Low in tannin, it has a sweet flavour[, ]. The dark brown, barrel-shaped, ovoid, or obcylindric seed can be 15 - 25mm long and 8 - 15mm wide[]. It is usually produced in clusters of 3 - 5[, ].
The seed is usually cooked before eating, though it can also be eaten raw. It can be eaten whole, though it is more commonly dried, then ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread.
In some species, especially many of those classified as 'white oaks', the seeds are low in tannins and have a more or less sweet and agreeable flavour. The seed of most species, however, have a very bitter flavour, due especially to the presence of tannins. In these species there are various processes that can remove or at least reduce the amount of these bitter substances (although other water-soluble substances, including some minerals, will also be removed).
Tannins are water-soluble and therefore the easiest way to remove or reduce tannin levels is by soaking in water. A few different methods are listed:-
A traditional method of preparing the seed was to bury it in boggy ground overwinter and allow the wet soil to gradually leach the tannins. The germinating seed was dug up in the spring when it would have lost most of its astringency and bitterness.
Another method was to wrap the seeds in a cloth bag and place them in a stream for several weeks.
Drying the seed and grinding it to a powder before soaking speeds up the process. The fastest method is to use hot water, by cooking the powder and changing the water several times until the cooking water is no longer bitter. Alternatively, you can use cold water (which is reported to produce the best quality flour). In this case, you soak the powdered seed in cold water for 12 - 24 hours then discard the water. Repeat this process for a number of times until the soak water is no longer bitter.

The roasted seed of many Quercus species has been used as a coffee substitute.

Roots - cooked[]. Seedlings form swollen hypocotyls that may develop into large, starchy, underground tubers. These tubers can be sliced, and fried like potatoes[].

An edible oil obtained from the seed is used for cooking[, , ]. Said to be comparable to olive oil[].

Medicinal

The bark is astringent[]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of dysentery[].
A decoction of the wood chips or the bark has been applied externally as an astringent analgesic to treat aches and pains, sores and haemorrhoids[].

Quercus (oak) species are used in the traditional medicine of many cultures, being valued especially for their tannins. Various parts of the plant can be used, most frequently it is the leaves, bark, seeds, seed cups or the galls that are produced as a result of insect damage. A decoction or infusion is astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, styptic and haemostatic. It is taken internally to treat conditions such as acute diarrhea, dysentery and haemorrhages. Externally, it is used as a mouthwash to treat toothache or gum problems and is applied topically as a wash on cuts, burns, various skin problems, haemorrhoids and oral, genital and anal mucosa inflammation[]. Extracts of the plant can be added to ointments and used for the healing of cuts[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Live oak is used to revegetate coal mine spoils in Texas. When inoculated with either endo- or ectomycorrhizae they have better growth and development on these lignite overburden sites[].
The tree is also used for reforestation of the southernmost portions of the lower Mississippi Valley, which were originally cleared for agriculture[].

Other Uses

The leaves of most species in this genus are more or less rich in tannins. A mulch of the partially decayed leaves can be placed around vulnerable plants in order to repel slugs, snails, grubs etc, and these will in time break down to add humus and nutrients to the soil. Fresh leaves should be used with caution, however, since as these decay they utilize some of the nitrogen in the soil and thus can inhibit plant growth[, ].

Oak galls are excrescences that are sometimes produced in great numbers on the tree and are caused by the activity of the larvae of different insects. The insects live inside these galls, obtaining their nutrient therein. When the insect pupates and leaves, the gall can be used as a rich source of tannin, that can also be used as a dyestuff and is also used by many cultures to make ink[, ].
The bark of oak trees is also usually rich in tannins and can be used as a dyestuff and for waterproofing rope[, ].

The bark is a commercial source of tannin[, ].
Dyes of various colours can be obtained from the bark[].

The wood is very heavy, hard, strong, tough, close grained but difficult to work. It weighs 59lb per cubic foot. It is used for making hubs, cogs, construction, shipbuilding etc[, , , , , , ].
A very good fuel, burning well and giving off a lot of heat[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - it quickly loses viability if it is allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist and cool overwinter but is best sown as soon as it is ripe in an outdoor seed bed, though it must be protected from mice, squirrels etc. Small quantities of seed can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Plants produce a deep taproot and need to be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible, in fact seed sown in situ will produce the best trees[]. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly.