Quercus geminata

Photo by Shirley Denton. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

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Sand Live Oak

Fagaceae

Plant Specifics

Size:Height is largely a function of fire frequency, 20-30 ft tall if not burned.  Crown width about half the height.
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Phenology:Evergreen. Inconspicuous flowers in early spring. Acorns mature in autumn of same year.
Habitats:Scrub, sandhill, scrubby flatwoods, flatwoods, coastal hammocks. Increases in flatwoods under winter burn management.

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Specimen tree, shade tree. Thicket in dry sandy areas.
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
Moisture Tolerance: Short very dry periods ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray Tolerance:Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
Soil/Substrate:Sand

Wildlife

birdanimalcaterpillar

Valued by the Florida scrub-jay for its acorns which are relatively low in tanins and often used as a nesting tree.

Acorns used by woodpeckers and wild turkey

Valued by squirrels and other mammals including white tailed deer

Acorns are low in tannins making them a preferred nut by birds and other wildlife.

Larval host plant for oak hairstreak (Fixsenia favonius), Horace's duskywing (Erynnis horatius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) butterflies.

possible larval host for Juvenal's duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis).