The Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) is a majestic, long-lived canopy tree native to the Southeastern United States, famous for its sprawling branches and nearly evergreen foliage.
Size: Grows 40 to 80 feet tall with massive canopy spreads often exceeding 100 to 150 feet wide.
Foliage: Nearly evergreen; it drops its old leaves and rapidly grows new ones over a short period each spring.
Lifespan: Lives for centuries, with a typical maturity lifespan of 300 to 500 years.
Appearance: Features heavy, twisted horizontal branches that often host Spanish moss and resurrection ferns.
USDA Hardiness Zones: Thrives in zones 8 through 10 (and can survive in protected spots in zone 7).
Sunlight: Requires full sun to partial shade (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily).
Soil: Highly adaptable to sandy, loamy, compacted, or slightly acidic-to-neutral soils.
Watering: Needs regular watering during its first year or two to establish a deep taproot; highly drought- and salt-tolerant once established.

Measurements are approximate.