Landowner Fact Sheets

laurel oak Quercus laurifolia

A bottomland tree of the southeast that is sometimes planted as an ornamental.

range map Click to see more images. fall color

Light
Laurel oak is considered invasive, and it will replace pine in the absence of fire.

Water
A bottomland tree found in wetlands and along streams. It will grow well in uplands when planted there.

Growth

Size
Medium size tree to 60 feet, straight trunk, 1 to 3 feet in diameter, rounded crown.

Timber Value
Laurel oak is used for lumber, veneer for plywood used in making fruit and vegetable boxes, and fuelwood.

Wildlife Value
Laurel oak produces regular large crops of acorns, making it an important food source.
Attracts deer, raccoon, birds, rodents

Insects and Diseases

Fun Facts
Confusion abounds between this tree and Quercus hemisphaerica and some authors do not separate the two. Laurel oak is a very fast growing tree but relatively short-lived. It is also called swamp laurel oak.

Latin Meaning
Quercus: Latin name / laurifolia: laurel-like leaves

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Landowner Factsheets © 2004 Virginia Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen, Guy Phillips, or Andrew S. Meeks.