Live Oaks - The Legacy
They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. It’s time to join the legacy!
The oak is a hardwood tree in the genus Quercus of the beech family, of which there are approximately 500 known species. Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) were first classified by the Scottish botanist John Claudius Lou
They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. It’s time to join the legacy!
The oak is a hardwood tree in the genus Quercus of the beech family, of which there are approximately 500 known species. Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) were first classified by the Scottish botanist John Claudius Loudon in 1838.
Live oaks are evergreen or brevideciduous, meaning that if they lose their leaves at all, it is only briefly and mainly in the spring immediately preceding the growth of new ones - a real plus if you don’t like raking leaves!
These trees are hearty, resilient and fast-growing. They are most often sought out for their capacity to provide shade. They do really well in various soils, from sandy to clay, and prefer as much heat and sunlight as they can get, making them ideal for Texas!
Below are a few famous live oaks privy to an incredible history. “If walls could talk,” rather if oaks could. Enjoy!
The Big Tree
Estimated to be over a 1000 years old, the largest live oak in Texas is located in Rockport. With a spread of 90 feet and a circumference of 35, THE BIG TREE is indeed massive!
The USS Constitution
The USS Constitution
The USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, is made of southern live oak harvested from Georgia. Constructed in 1794, and launched in 1797, it is the oldest naval warship still afloat.
Emancipation Oak
In 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln was first read publicly under an oak tree in Virginia, presently on the campus of Hampton University.
Century Tree
Dated back to the time of 1876, the founding of the Texas A&M University, this lovely oak at the heart of the Aggie campus is the site of numerous marriage proposals.
Treaty Oak
Treaty Oak
Near the east bank of the Colorado River in Austin, the magnificent 500 year old Treaty Oak stands as the remaining survivor of a group of 14 live oaks known as the Council Oaks. Stephen F. Austin, the great father of Texas, signed the first boundary-line agreement there with Tonkawa and Comanche tribe members. In addition, in 1861 Sam Ho
Near the east bank of the Colorado River in Austin, the magnificent 500 year old Treaty Oak stands as the remaining survivor of a group of 14 live oaks known as the Council Oaks. Stephen F. Austin, the great father of Texas, signed the first boundary-line agreement there with Tonkawa and Comanche tribe members. In addition, in 1861 Sam Houston contemplated his future under the shade of the venerable oak tree after he was deposed as the Governor of Texas.