Quercus laurifolia is a medium-sized semi-evergreen oakin the red oak section Quercus sect. Lobatae. It is native to the southeastern and south-central the United States, from coastal Virginia to central Florida and west to southeast Texas. There are reports of the species growing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but these probably represent introductions. Quercus laurifolia is a tree growing to tall, with a large, circular crown. The leaves are broad lanceolate, long and broad, and unlobed with an entire margin and a bristle tip; they typically fall just as the new leaves start to emerge in spring. The acorns, borne in a shallow cup, are hemispherical, long, green, maturing blackish-brown about 18 months after pollination. Despite their bitter kernel, they are eaten by deer, squirrels and birds. Acorn production is often heavy, enhancing the species' value for wildlife. The seedlings show embryo dormancy and germinate the following spring after fall ripening; germination is hypogeal. Swamp laurel oak grows rapidly and usually matures in about 50 years which has led to its wide use as an ornamental. It is host to the general oak-feeding insects but has no serious insect problems. Several species of Curculio weevils infest the acorns. The botanist C.J. Burke suggested that swamp laurel oak is of hybridorigin having been derived from willow oak and water oak ; it is not found outside the ranges of the two supposed parental species. This conclusion was based on an index from leaf-shape on seedlings grown from acorns. However, this theory has not achieved wide support, with current authors accepting Quercus laurifolia as a distinct species. Known hybrids with Quercus laurifolia as one parent are with Q. falcata, Q. incana, and Q. marilandica.
Soils and climate
Swamp laurel oak is found mostly on alluvialflood plains, from sealevel up to altitude. It will tolerate the wetter sites in association with other oak species but will not live with continuous or prolonged flooding. It is most often found growing in sandy soil near rivers and along the edges of swamps if not too frequently flooded. Swamp laurel oak grows in the hammocks of central Florida and on sand hills adjacent to swamps in west Florida. Swamp laurel oak grows best on ultisols and inceptisols. The range has average annual temperatures from. It can withstand extreme lows ranging from. Extreme highs range from. It needs between of rainfall a year. From of this is received during the growing season from April to September. The laurel oak is probably one of the most cold-hardy evergreen oaks. Trees growing in Cincinnati indicate the laurel oak may be hardy even further north than previously thought tolerating temperatures lower than and surviving into zone 5. In Cincinnati trees have been observed staying green well into December.
Uses
It is grown and marketed mainly as pulpwood. It is commonly used as an ornamental tree in landscaping because of its fast growth and pleasing appearance; it is planted with little regard to soil type. The acorns provide food for raccoons, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, ducks, bobwhite quail, and small birds and rodents.
