Laurel Oak, Sand Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Habit is pyramidal in youth, becoming rounded, to 40-60' tall and 30-40' wide. National champion is about 100' X 100'. A fast grower (moderate to rapid). Moderately long-lived, 100-200 years.

Native Range

U.S. Native — Native throughout the coastal plain in the southeastern U.S., from Texas to Delaware. Found on well-drained, dry, sandy soil in dune areas, along stream banks, and in mixed woods.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers; male catkins are yellow-green, 1.5-3" long, females green to reddish, very small, in leaf axils as leaves emerge. Acorns sessile to short-stalked, ovoid, 1/2" long, enclosed 1/4 by the shallow, saucer-like cap. Acorns are green to dark brown to nearly black, somewhat fuzzy. Seed production starts in the fall at about 15 yrs of age. Toxic tannins in acorns if eaten.

Leaf and Bark Features

Semi-Evergreen: Leaves alternate, glossy, simple, thick, leathery, lanceolate/obovate, 1.25-4" long & 1/2-2" wide, margin entire, or a few shallow lobes or teeth. Leaf apex acute, w/ bristle tip. Petiole 1/4", yellowish. Leaves deciduous to semi-evergreen in Cincinnati. The lustrous, dark green leaves may persist into early winter, depending on the weather. Young stems gray-brown, dotted w/ lenticels. Trunk bark is gray-brown to dark brown and smooth on younger trees, eventually turning black, with broad, flattened ridges separated by deep fissures.

Culture and Care

Grows best in well-drained soils, but is highly adaptable to various soil types. Tolerates clay. Zones 6-9. Needs full sun to part shade. Drought-tolerant. No serious pests/diseases. Possible oak anthracnose, galls, caterpillars, and borers.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall. In the red oak group. The cultivar, 'Darlington', is more compact, and the leaves are more persistent from fall into winter in the south, but in the Cincinnati area it is deciduous. Some authorities equate this species w/ Quercus laurifolia.

Suggested Uses

Often used as a shade tree or street tree.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA