Create Your Garden

Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak)

Laurel Oak, Swamp Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak, Diamond-leaf Oak, Laurel-leaf Oak, Water Oak, Obtusa Oak, Quercus obtusa, Quercus phellos var. laurifolia, Quercus succulenta

Quercus laurifolia, Laurel Oak, Swamp Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak, Diamond-leaf Oak, Laurel-leaf Oak, Water Oak, Obtusa Oak, Quercus obtusa, Evergreen Oak,
Quercus laurifolia, Laurel Oak, Swamp Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak, Diamond-leaf Oak, Laurel-leaf Oak, Water Oak, Obtusa Oak, Quercus obtusa, Evergreen Oak,

Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak) is a large, stately, semi-evergreen tree adorned with a dense, oval-rounded canopy. The trunk can reach 3-4 ft. (90-120 cm) in diameter and flares out at the base with age. Its gray bark is moderately deeply furrowed. The leathery, oval leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), are green and glossy on top, somewhat paler and smooth underneath. They persist throughout the fall and most of the winter in warm coastal climates and are deciduous in cooler areas. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins appear in spring. The oval acorns take two years to mature. They are a valuable source of food for small mammals and birds. Acorn production begins when the tree is 15 to 20 years old. Native to the southeastern United States, Laurel Oak occurs naturally in floodplain forests, river banks, swamps, and in upland depression wetlands, usually on sites with clay soils. Laurel Oak has been widely planted in the South as an ornamental, perhaps because of the attractive leaves from which it takes its common name. It is often used as a shade or street tree. It grows fairly rapidly and is not fussy about soils. It is, however, relatively short-lived (75-100 years), and often becomes hollow with age.

  • Grows up to 40-60 ft. tall and wide (12-18 m).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in rich, humusy, acidic, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay soils.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Keep an eye out for oak wilt, chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew, scale, oak skeletonizer, leafminer, galls, oak lace bugs, borers, caterpillars and nut weevils.
  • Propagate by seed (no treatment). Best-quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree.
  • Toxic to horses.
  • Native to the southeastern United States from coastal Virginia to central Florida and west to southeast Texas.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Quercus
Common names Laurel Oak, Water Oak, Oak
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' - 60'
(12.2m - 18.3m)
Spread 40' - 60'
(12.2m - 18.3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Quercus (Oak)
Not sure which Quercus (Oak) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Quercus douglasii (Blue Oak)
Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon Live Oak)
Quercus myrtifolia (Myrtle Oak)
Quercus velutina (Black Oak)
Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)
Quercus hemisphaerica (Darlington Oak)

Recommended Companion Plants

Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash)
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum)
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey Locust)
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Green Canopy, Better World: Exploring the Benefits of Trees
Trees that Invite Wildlife to Your Garden
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
Quercus (Oak) – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Grow Your Own Oak Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Acorns
8 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Plant an Oak Tree
Native Oak Trees: A Must-Have for Your Landscape
Native Plant Alternatives to Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Quercus
Common names Laurel Oak, Water Oak, Oak
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' - 60'
(12.2m - 18.3m)
Spread 40' - 60'
(12.2m - 18.3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Quercus (Oak)
Not sure which Quercus (Oak) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone