Q. laurifolia - Laurel Oak

From the se U.S.; this large fast growing Oak is hardy from zones 6 to 10 and is semi-evergreen from zone 7 south becoming almost evergreen around zone 7b. It grows with a dense rounded habit and reaches massive proportions up to 150 feet tall; 120 feet wide and with trunk diameters recorded up to 8 feet across. Few Laurel Oak old enough to reach those sizes still exist but 100 plus footers are somewhat common. It is a fast growing tree and can reach 18 inches in the first year. 6 foot growth rates in a year have been recorded as well as one Laurel Oak reaching 150 feet in 50 years.

The foliage is smooth, bronze when young turning very glossy green and oval. They are smooth edged or very shallow lobed. The leaves usually fall in early spring just before the new leaves appear and reach up to 6 x 2 inches.

The bark is dark brown and smooth when young turning scaly; thick and deeply furrowed into wide flat ridges.

One of the most beautiful of all Oaks; the Laurel Oak makes great street trees. Trees growing in Cincinnati indicate the Laurel Oak may be hardy even further north that previously thought tolorating temperatures lower than - 20 F and surviving into zone 5. In Cincinnati trees have been observed staying green well into December.

Salt tolorant; it grows best on deep rich sandy soil with a PH from 4 to 6. Hot summers are required for this Southern Oak to thrive.