Oak trees dominate Florida’s landscape. A variety of native oak trees may be found across Florida, and many of them are unique to the state. From the evergreen southern live oaks that thrive in South Florida to the deciduous oaks like the Shumard oak and willow oaks in the north, you’ll discover a vast variety of oak tree species.
Florida’s oak trees are among the most gorgeous and majestic trees. The identifying characteristics of the oak trees’ vast, spreading crowns, thick trunks covered in rough, gray bark, leathery leaves, and acorns are all features. Florida is home to a variety of species, including white oaks, red oaks, and the southern live oak tree.
This article describes the most prevalent oak trees found in Florida. The descriptions and images of Florida oak trees may help you identify these magnificent deciduous and evergreen trees.
Florida Oak Tree Facts
The genus Quercus includes both flowering trees and large shrubs. The distinctive obovate or oblong leaves with deeply lobed borders are characteristic of many oak species. However, some oaks in Florida have leaves that resemble willow or laurel leaves with no lobes. There are approximately 450 different oak species in the world, with Florida having 19 of them. The massive trees have brown or black nuts in a warty cap, and their spirally growing leaves are distinguishable as rounded or pyramidal crowns.
Acorns with rounded or pointed tips emerge from the trees. A scaly cap called a cupule sits atop the smooth light brown to dark brown nuts. After growing for 20 to 30 years, mature oak trees only produce acorns. There are two deciduous oaks and one evergreen oak in Florida’s common oak tree classifications. The red oak and white oak groups include deciduous Florida oak trees. The live oak is an evergreen Florida oak tree that is related to white oaks.
North of Orlando and Tampa, as well as in Florida’s panhandle, white and red oaks are common. Furthermore, from Miami and the Florida Keys in the south to Jacksonville and Tallahassee in northern Florida, southern live oaks may be found.
Native Florida oak trees can handle the humid environment and thrive in full sunlight. In USDA zones 5 to 9, northern Florida oaks may be found. Only zones 9 and 10 are cold-hardy for some oaks, which only grow south of Orlando. The immense height of Florida’s oak trees, as well as the densely growing foliage, make them famous. Florida oak trees may grow to be up to 135 feet (41 meters) tall and 60 feet (18 meters) broad.
Florida White Oak Tree
The smooth, obovate leathery leaves of Florida white oak trees have rounded tips and lobes around the margins. Some red oak leaves have lobed tips that don’t have the bristle characteristic. After removing the tannins, white oak acorns reach maturity in six months and have a sweet or bitter flavor. In Florida, white oak trees range in height and breadth from 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 meters).
Florida Red Oak Trees
Deciduous lobed leaves with bristled, pointed tips distinguish Florida red oak trees. Acorns develop on red oaks over two seasons, unlike white oaks, which develop in one. The bitter and disagreeable flavor of the brown oval nuts is strong. In Florida, red oaks may grow to be 60 to 75 feet (18–22 meters) tall and broad.
Florida Live Oak Trees
Gnarled, horizontally growing branches and a spreading, open crown distinguish Florida live oaks, which are evergreen trees. Live oaks feature tiny egg-shaped dark-colored acorns and smooth, dark-green glossy leaves. The southern live oak, with its distinguishing display of Spanish moss swaying from branches, is the most common live oak species in Florida. Live oak trees in Florida can reach heights of 66 feet (20 meters) and widths of 90 feet (27 meters).
Florida Oak Tree Bark
As the tree grows, the Florida oak’s bark becomes smooth and silvery-brown. As the tree grows, the bark gets deeper grooves and knobby ridges, giving it a rough, uneven feel. The bark of Florida white oaks is light gray, while that of red oaks is dark, almost black.
Florida Oak Tree Leaves
Individual Florida oak tree species are identified by the leaf form and lobed borders. White oaks, for example, have broad, rounded leaves with deep rounded lobes along the margins that are characteristic of white oaks. The lobes of most red oak varieties are pointed and have bristled ends. Southern live oaks, on the other hand, have smooth and leathery leaves.
Florida Oak Tree Acorns
Acorns are egg or barrel-shaped brown nuts that develop in warty caps and may be hairy on Florida oak trees. The color of the oak tree acorns ranges from light tan to dark brown. Some oak species produce rounded oval acorns, while others produce pointed almost triangular nuts, which is the difference in form.
Florida Oak Tree Flowers
Slender yellowish-green stems with tiny clusters of blossoms cover oak trees growing in Florida. The female blossoms on the same tree as the hanging male oak catkins differ. Tiny reddish clusters on short stems grow on female oak tree flowers. Inconvenient oak trees are said to be unnoticed.
Florida Oak Tree Identification
The shape, size, and form of the acorns, as well as the kind of bark, can be used to identify an oak tree in a Florida landscape. Oak tree bark is distinguished by its gray color and deep fissures. Deciduous oak leaves have large lobes with spiky ends, and some of them bristle. Acorns are brown in color and have a spherical shape.
Types of Florida Oak Trees (With Pictures)
Let’s take a closer look at Florida’s most common oak trees.
Types of Florida White Oak Trees
Eastern White Oak (Quercus alba)
The eastern white oak grows 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) tall and has leaves similar to those of alder. The horizontal lower branches and spreading, broadly rounded crown of this Florida oak distinguish it. The rounded apex and scaly brown cap of white oak acorns make them light brown.
Florida oak tree bark: The scaly pattern and vertical fissures on eastern white oak bark are light gray.
Florida oak tree leaves: The obovate leaves of the eastern white oak tree are 9″ (23 cm) long and 4″ (10 cm) broad with seven to nine lobes on the margin. In the autumn, the glossy dark green leaves turn crimson red.
Post Oak (Quercus stellata)
Post oak trees, bark, and leaves are native to Florida’s central and northern regions. The stately post oak tree has an uneven rounded crown that grows 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters) tall. Between 0.5 and 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) long, the spherical, oval brown nuts are shaped like spheres.
Florida oak tree bark: The light gray ridges of post oak tree bark have alternating horizontal cross fractures, giving it a rough feel.
Florida oak tree leaves: The deep lobes of post oak tree leaves create a Maltese cross effect. In the fall, the oak leaves become a dull copper color and are 8″ (20 cm) long.
Sand Post Oak (Quercus margarettae)
Sand post oak trees, which grow to be about 40 feet (12 meters) tall and flourish on sandy soil, are a little oak. The dense, rounded crown of the huge shrub-like tree is readily recognized by its twisted and bent branches. Acorns grow in clusters of one to three nuts on the oak tree, which produces globe-shaped acorns.
Florida oak tree bark: The light gray bark of the sand post oak has thin fissures and scaly ridges.
Florida oak tree leaves: Three to five irregular lobes on the margins characterize sand post oak leaves. Up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) broad, the little oak leaves grow.
Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii)
Swamp chestnut oak thrives on poorly drained soils and full sun in Florida’s zones 6 through 9. The thin bark of the tall deciduous swamp chestnut oak tree peels in rectangular scales, distinguishing it from other species. This oak tree’s acorns are also little oval nuts in a scaly cup, as well.
Florida oak tree bark: Swamp chestnut oak has flaky ridges and deep V-shaped furrows on its bark, which is light to medium gray.
Florida oak tree leaves: Obovate leaves have a bright green upper surface and a fuzzy, grayish under surface in swamp chestnut oak trees. Swamp chestnut trees change color in the fall, turning deep red.
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Bur oaks have light brown to gray bark, acorns encased in a hairy cap, and huge glossy green lobed leaves. They are native Florida oaks with a wide range of sizes. The USDA zones 3 to 8 cold-hardy tree is found in Florida’s panhandle and thrives in USDA zones. Bur oaks may grow to be 70 to 90 feet (21 to 27 meters) tall and broad.
Florida oak tree bark: As the tree grows, birch bark becomes a rich brown to gray color with deep furrows.
Florida oak tree leaves: Leathery, dark green leaves with up to nine irregular lobes that nearly reach the core stem are referred to as bur oak tree leaves. The yellow color of bur oaks in Florida is unappealing for the fall.
Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
This holly oak tree has shiny, dark-green, lance-shaped leaves with brown acorns with a tapered apex and dangling yellowish-green spring blooms. It is also known as the holly oak. The thick, rounded crown of the oak tree distinguishes it and allows it to grow to be 70 to 92 feet (21 – 28 meters) tall.
Florida oak tree bark: Holm oak trees have a cracking bark that is gray to black in color and has a distinctive appearance. This oak tree species can be identified by this bark type.
Florida oak tree leaves: The holm oak’s evergreen leaves are pointed at the tip and oval in shape. The leaves lack lobed margins, unlike those of other white oaks.
Chinkapin Oak Tree (Quercus muehlenbergii)
The chinkapin oak tree is a tall white oak tree with a broad, round canopy in Florida that has bright green lance-shaped leaves and tiny, edible acorns. This native Florida oak tree may be found in the state’s central and northern regions. It will reach 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) in height and width, depending on the variety.
Florida oak tree bark: Grey and flaky, with yellowish-brown patches and deep ridges, chinkapin oak tree bark is grey.
Florida oak tree leaves: The edges of chinkapin oak leaves are serrated, and they’re lanceolate. In the fall, the leaves become yellow and grow 4″ to 8″ (10 to 20 cm) long.
Types of Florida Red Oak Trees
Black Oak Tree (Quercus velutina)
The black oak tree, which grows to 82 feet (25 meters) in height in Florida’s northernmost regions, is a leaf and bark combination. The dark gray bark with yellowish inner bark distinguishes this tall red oak variety. The saucer-shaped cups on the oval brown acorns are glossy, and the leaves are dark green.
Florida oak tree bark: When young, black oak tree bark is smooth, with a dark gray to black coloration that becomes ridged as it ages.
Florida oak tree leaves: Dark green blades with deep lobes around the margins characterize black oak tree leaves. The lobes have bristle tips, as do the other red oaks. The leaves can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long. The orange to reddish-brown color of the black oak tree is stunning.
Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
With a straight trunk, rounded oval crown, tan-colored oval acorns, and distinctive pointed leaves, the southern red oak is a native Florida tree. The crown of Southern red oak trees is broad and rounded, growing to 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) tall.
Florida oak tree bark: With vertical ridges and fissures, Southern red oak tree bark is dark gray to black. It has irregular patterns.
Florida oak tree leaves: Three to five long slender lobes with razor-sharp, bristle-tipped ends make up the leaves of southern red oak. The leaves change color in the fall and are up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
Myrtle Oak (Quercus myrtifolia)
Myrtle oaks are a widespread hardwood tree in the southern United States that thrives throughout Florida, with leaves and acorns. The glossy, leathery leaves of the evergreen oak tree are in a variety of oval forms. Acorns grow in saucer-shaped cups and are globose in shape. The 15 to 20-foot-tall (4.5 to 6 m) shrublike oak trees
Florida oak tree bark: The trunk of Myrtle oak is split by deep furrows, which range from gray to dark brown.
Florida oak tree leaves: Myrtle oak leaves have a lustrous sheen and are dark green. The leaves have no lobes along the margins and are oval to obovate in shape.
Turkey Oak Tree (Quercus laevis)
The rounded, spreading crown of the turkey oak, dark gray bark, and black acorns sitting in a reddish-brown cap are all characteristics that identify it. The lobed narrow leaves of turkey oaks, which resemble a turkey foot, are a characteristic feature. This endemic oak tree thrives on poor, damp soil and grows to be 26 to 33 feet (8 to 10 meters) tall.
Florida oak tree bark: The pattern on Turkish oak tree bark is irregular, with deep furrows and ridges.
Florida oak tree leaves: In the summer, Turkish oak tree leaves are a deep green color, but in the autumn, they turn vivid oranges and reds.
Willow Oak Tree (Quercus phellos)
The Florida willow oak tree has narrow green, bristle-tipped leaves, rounded tan to brown acorns, and a rounded crown. It is a fast-growing deciduous red oak tree with leaves and bark. Between 65 and 100 feet (20 and 30 meters) tall, willow oak trees can be found. In zones 5 to 9, oaks are cold-hardy and grow well in northern Florida.
Florida oak tree bark: Before reaching maturity, willow oak tree bark is smooth and gray, with irregular ridges and furrows that create a rough feel.
Florida oak tree leaves: The oblong leaves of a willow oak tree lack lobes on the margins. The oak’s popular name comes from the distinctive green leaves that look like willow leaves.
Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)
Laurel oak trees, which are semi-evergreen in the south of Fort Myers and west Palm Beach, are native to Florida. Water oak and swamp laurel oak tree are the names for the tall, fast-growing Florida shade tree that thrives in damp soil. The majestic tree, which bears spherical acorns, grows to be 65 to 70 feet (20–24 m) tall.
Florida oak tree bark: As the tree ages, the Laurel oak tree bark becomes thin fissures and flat ridges, which is dark gray and smooth when young.
Florida oak tree leaves: Oblong, oval leaves with a lustrous top and bottom are found on laurel oak trees. In the autumn, the laurel oak foliage becomes a coppery brown.
Shumard Oak Tree (Quercus shumardii)
The Shumard oak tree, which grows from Florida’s panhandle to Orlando, is a lovely shade tree. Shumard oaks have a huge crown, bristle-tipped lobed leaves, and an appealing pyramidal crown. Shumard oak has the largest acorns of any oak, with dark-brown acorns that can grow up to 1.5″ (3.8 cm) broad.
These native Florida oaks may grow to be 50 to 70 feet (15 to 21 meters) tall and 40 feet (12 meters) broad.
Florida oak tree bark: As it ages, the shumard oak tree bark becomes thick, flat, scaly ridges with shallow grooves. It is dark gray to reddish-brown in color.
Florida oak tree leaves: Because of their deep, spiny lobes, Shumard oak tree leaves have a jagged appearance. In the fall, the oak leaves turn a vivid scarlet and are 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long.
Types of Florida Live Oak Trees
Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
The wide spreading canopy and twisted, gnarled branches of the southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) are well-known in Florida. Leathery dark-green leaves, thick dark bark, and small egg-shaped black acorns are some of the distinguishing characteristics of the southern live oak. Southern live oaks in Florida may reach 40 to 80 feet (12 to 24 meters) tall and broad.
Plateau oak, Virginia live oak, bay live oak, and escarpment live oak are some of the other names for this native Florida evergreen tree. Yet, because of its prevalence in the southeastern United States, many people refer to it as the live oak.
Florida oak tree bark: Dark brown bark with a scaly look and longitudinal furrows characterize the southern live oak.
Florida oak tree leaves: Because of their dark-green color, smooth, glossy look, and pointed tips, southern live oak leaves are immediately identifiable as evergreen leaves.