Laurel Oak
Quercus laurifolia
Laurel oak is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen oak of Southeastern bottomlands and stream edges, holding glossy leaves nearly year-round. A quick shade producer that pours out acorns for wildlife. Its acorns are traditional food once the bitter tannins are leached out and the seed ground into flour.
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Type
- tree
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 40–60 ft
- Spacing
- 40–60 ft apart
- Light
- sun, part shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Bloom
- March, April, May
- Bloom colors
- yellow
- Wildlife value
- butterflies, pollinators, mammals, songbirds, larval host
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~557 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- rain garden
- Native states
- AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA
Related native plants
More Quercus species
- Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
- Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
- White Oak (Quercus alba)
- Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
- Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)
- Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)