Laurel Oak
Quercus laurifolia
- Common Name: Laurel Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus laurifolia
- Family Name: Fagaceae
- Origin: Native to SE US
- Height: 65 to 80 ft
- Width: 35 to 45 ft
- Growth: Fast
- Zone: USDA Zones 6 through 10
- Light needs: Full sun to part shade.
- Salt tolerance: Low
- Soil/pH/Texture: Tolerates a wide range of soil types and textures as long as the soil drains well. Soil pH should be acidic, as alkaline soils may cause chlorosis.
- Moisture: Mesic water needs – prefers moist soil but can handle dryness.
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
- Pests/Diseases: Most Laurel Oak pests are not serious. Root rot may occur in overly wet conditions. Galls are common but are usually harmless. Spider mites, scales, and other pest insects may cause minor damage and can be controlled with horticultural oil or predatory insects. Several caterpillar species eat the leaves but usually don’t cause serious damage.
- Growing conditions: Young saplings should be protected from direct sunlight. Once established, the tree prefers full sun. It prefers occasional, deep waterings, allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings. Keeping the soil dry will cause the tree to grow more slowly and is thought to promote stronger wood growth. As the tree grows, prune branches to ensure that they don’t get too large or close together, as a poor branch structure will decrease the tree’s lifespan.
- Characteristics: Laurel oak grows to be a tall, upright tree with a dense, oval-shaped canopy. Bark is smooth and gray when young and becomes fissured with age. The glossy, oval-shaped leaves grow alternately along the stem and are 3 to 5 inches in length. The flowers are inconspicuous brown and yellow drooping clusters that emerge from leaf axils. The fruits are small, green acorns. The tree has a strong trunk that can lift sidewalks.
- Propagation: By seeds and cuttings.
- Wildlife: The thick canopy provides habitat for birds, squirrels, and other arboreal animals. The acorns are eaten by deer, squirrels, birds, raccoons, and rodents.
- Facts: In the wild, this tree mainly grows in alluvial floodplains. It has a lifespan of around 50 to 70 years – this is lower than other oaks and is mainly due to the trunk and branches hollowing from decay and improper pruning. It is harvested for pulpwood.
- Designer considerations: This large tree has many landscaping applications. It is commonly planted in yards, near sidewalks, and next to benches and tables as a shade tree. Be careful when planting it, as the roots can lift sidewalks if planted too close.
Laurel Oak
Location
Trees In The Gardens
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