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Quercus geminata

sand live oak

Fagaceae

Southeastern United States coastal plain

Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Quercus geminata is an evergreen oak in the beech family, native to deep, well-drained sands of the southeastern United States coastal plain. Closely related to the southern live oak, it is smaller and grows on drier sites, ranging from a low, gnarled shrub on exposed dunes to a spreading tree 20-50 feet (6-15 m) tall and wide. The leathery leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, dark glossy green above with margins rolled under, and densely gray-woolly beneath, an adaptation to dry, sandy ground. New leaves emerge in spring as the old ones drop, so the tree stays evergreen. Yellow-green catkins of male flowers appear in spring and shed wind-borne pollen. The acorns are narrow, 0.5-0.75 inch (12-19 mm) long, and often borne in pairs on a long stalk, the trait that gives the species its name. It is highly drought tolerant and salt-tolerant near the coast, though slow-growing. Its acorns and foliage contain tannins that are toxic to livestock and pets in quantity, and the dense, low form can be hard to place in small gardens.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern United States coastal plain, from southeastern Virginia and North Carolina south to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to Mississippi and Louisiana, on deep sandy soils, dunes, sandhills, and scrub.

Suggested Uses

Used as an evergreen shade or specimen tree on sandy coastal and inland sites, and for dune and slope stabilization. The acorns feed deer, turkey, jays, and squirrels, and the foliage hosts many native caterpillars. Its salt and drought tolerance suit coastal parks and large native landscapes.

How to Identify

Identify Quercus geminata by its leathery, dark glossy green evergreen leaves with margins rolled under and gray-woolly undersides. The narrow acorns are often carried in pairs on a long stalk, the feature behind its name. It is smaller and grows on drier, sandier ground than the closely related southern live oak.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 50'

Width/Spread20' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, from March to April, as yellow-green male catkins that release wind-borne pollen. The small female flowers are inconspicuous. Acorns develop through the season and ripen in fall, often in pairs on a common stalk.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark glossy green, gray-woolly beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on deep, well-drained sandy soils and tolerates salt spray and coastal wind. It is highly drought tolerant once established and needs little supplemental water. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of 5.0 to 7.0 suits it, and it resents wet, poorly drained ground. Growth is slow, so young trees take years to gain size. The acorns and foliage contain tannins that are toxic to grazing stock and pets in quantity. Pests and diseases, mostly galls and minor leaf feeders, rarely cause lasting harm.

Pruning

Train young trees to a single leader or multiple trunks with light pruning in winter. Mature trees need only the removal of dead, crossing, or damaged limbs. Heavy pruning is avoided because the slow growth is slow to close large wounds.