Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
Native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia south through Florida and west to Texas, the southern live oak can thrive in the Sonoran Desert so long as it gets proper irrigation — and makes for one of the largest & densest shade canopies we know of!
Mature Canopy Size
50–80 ft wide, 40–60 ft tall (broad, spreading canopy)
Growth Rate
Medium — 1–2 ft per year; faster with regular irrigation
Water Requirements (Minimum vs. Maximum Growth)
Minimum: Moderate — not native to the desert, requires supplemental water
For Maximum Growth: Weekly deep watering during summer establishes quickly and builds lush canopy
Ecological & Functional Benefits
Evergreen shade tree, providing year-round cooling
Supports birds, pollinators, and insects — high wildlife value
Dense canopy lowers ground temps and reduces urban heat effect
Extremely long-lived (hundreds of years in native range)
Edible / Harvest Season / Nutritional Benefits
Yes — acorns are technically edible after leaching tannins
Harvested in fall
Rich in carbs and historically used as flour substitute
Not commonly eaten today, more valued for wildlife forage
Minimum Chill Hours
None required — evergreen species adapted to warmer climates
Maintenance Requirements
Moderate — requires occasional thinning of canopy to reduce weight stress on long limbs
Leaf and acorn litter requires cleanup in lawns or patios
Once mature, becomes very low-maintenance
Thorny or Not?
No
Deciduous or Not?
Evergreen — holds leaves through winter, but drops old leaves in spring when new ones flush
Root System
Strong, wide-spreading roots with deep anchors
Can lift sidewalks and compete with foundations if planted too close
Needs 20+ ft spacing from structures, septic, or pools
Best sited in lawns, parks, or large yards where roots can spread freely
Deep, infrequent irrigation encourages downward rooting and stability
Miscellaneous Notes
Creates one of the densest, most cooling shade canopies available for Phoenix landscapes
More water-demanding than desert natives but highly valued for lush aesthetics
Performs best with flood irrigation or large deep basins
Long-lived investment tree — grows into a legacy feature for generations
Questions about the Southern Live Oak?
Comment below or on our social media pages @permascaping.
