Southern live oak - Quercus virginiana
Description and Uses
Quercus virginiana (Southern live oak) is a tropical tree from Eastern North America. It is mainly grown for its ornamental crops (medium shelflife), but also Other uses include; edible roots, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 20 - 30 years. There are no edible parts. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-arthritic activity. The flower contains - n/a - (0% - 0%). The tree`s wood is called Life oak wood and has a density of 870 - 890 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is medium, its energetic value is 4500 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 150 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Quercus virginiana has a lifespan of 500 years.
Environmental limitations
The tree is 23 meters tall. It is medium growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Quercus virginiana has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations Amanita muscaria,Glomus intraradices,Sclerocystis coremioides (endo and ecto mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is uni-sexual and is pollinated by wind. Quercus virginiana is deciduous in winter and not allelopathic and has no thorns.
Quercus virginiana thrives in an altitude of 50 to 2000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -9°C and optimally between 15 - 35°C. The optimal rainfall is 1500 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 650 - 1700 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire intolerant.
Pests and Diseases
is susceptible to Archodontes melanopus as pest and to Armillaria root rot as disease diseases.
Seed Propagation
Seeds are recalcitrant and can be stored for 4 months. There are approximative 775 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds in water or in the fruit at room temperature, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.
