Quercus virginiana

If you visit Savannah then you will see this beautiful tree. It is commonly referred to as the Southern Live Oak. It is called a live oak because of its evergreen nature. It is a spreading medium sized to large tree between 45 and 65 feet tall with a base diameter of 3 to 4 feet. They usually have a large multicolumned trank base that divides after a few feet into 3 to 5 horizontal branches that form a widespread dense crown. The trees can grow to a crown over 100 feet across. Live Oaks hold their leaves until spring. The new leaf growth pushes the old leaf off so the trees are never bare. Because of their wide crown they are popular as a shade and street tree.

Live Oak wood is one of the heaviest, toughest and most durable native woods. It seldom grows in a long straight line so it is not premium lumber. It was and still is used for shipbuilding. The large surved limbs near the ground were ideal for the curved parts of a ship's hull. The wood has also been used for tool handles, wheel hubs and wooden sprockets. The bark was used to tan leather.

If you look closely at the pictures above you will notice this plant hanging from the trees.

The plant is commonly referred to as Spanish Moss. It is not a moss but a bromeliad, a perennial herb in the same family as the pineapple. It is an epiphyte, a plant that grows on other plants but does not depend on them for nutrients. They take nutrients from the air and from debris that collects on the plant. It prefers moist environments but can go dormant until conditions improve. It does not have roots as all nutrients are absorbed through permeable scales that catch moisture and nutrients and cover the entire plant. It does not kill trees because it is not parasitic it only relies on the tree for support.

So when you come to Savannah take a few minutes or even more to admire the Live Oaks that line the streets. Admire the Spanish Moss but be careful about handling it as it generally is home to lots of chiggers.

Tomorrow will be the story of the frigate USS Constitution.