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Quercus laurifolia Michx.

Laurel oak, Swamp laurel oak, Darlington oak, diamond-leaf oak, laurel-leaf oak, water oak, obtuse oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

USDA Symbol: QULA3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Laurel oak, a pyramidal-rounded tree, ranges in size from 40-60 ft. tall and 30-40 ft. wide. Glossy, dark-green, unlobed, long, broad, oval leaves persist into January. The bark is gray. Large, nearly evergreen tree with dense, broad, rounded crown.

GROWTH FORM: semi-evergreen with leaves retained until the following spring; short-lived medium tree that grows up to 80 feet (24.4 m) with a dense rounded crown. BARK: dark brown, mature bark turning black with deep furrows and broad flat ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: smooth reddish- brown twigs; buds are ovoid, pointed and covered with shiny chestnut-brown scales. LEAVES: short, smooth petiole up to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) long; leaf blade broadly elliptical and thin, 1 1⁄4 - 4 3⁄4 inches (32 - 121 mm) long, 5⁄8 - 1 3⁄4 inches (16 - 44 mm) wide, base cuneate, bristle-tipped acute apex, may be irregularly 3-lobed, shiny green upper surface and pale green below with a yellow midrib, both surfaces are smooth.

Common and Latin species names refer to the resemblance of the foliage to Grecian Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), of the Mediterranean region. A handsome shade tree, widely planted in the Southeast. President L. B. Johnson planted one at the White House in Washington, DC.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Apex: Acute
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Grows up to 80 feet (24.4 m) with a dense rounded crown.
Leaf: Leaves shiny green upper surface and pale green below with a yellow midrib.
Fruit: Acorns biennial; nearly sessile, saucer-like cup with pubescent scales and pubescent inner surface, enclosing up to 1⁄4 of nut; nearly round dark brown nut, 5⁄8 inch (16 mm) in length.
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , PA , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Texas east to Florida and north to Virginia.
Native Habitat: Moist soils of the southeastern coastal plain and associated with typical mesic hardwoods.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is closely related to Q. nigra and Q. phellos. It has no pest problems and is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Swamp laurel oak is often used as an ornamental in the South.
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately – outdoors or in deep containers to accomodate long initial taproot. Many oaks require cold temperatures to initiate shoot development. Protect outdoor beds with
Seed Collection: Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 1134 - Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America (2003) Stein, John D. and Denise Binion

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Quercus laurifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Quercus laurifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus laurifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-09-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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