14 Florida Oak Trees
Florida oak trees are some of the most beautiful trees in the world. Oaks are characteristically large and wide, with thick solid trunks covered in acorns, oblong leaves, and graying bark.
There are many different types of Florida oak trees; about 19 are native to the area. Different species of oak trees grow in different regions of the state. White and red oak trees typically live in the north. Southern live oaks live throughout the state.
Florida is perfect for oak trees as they do best in full sun and don’t mind humid conditions. Florida oak trees live for 300 years or more, and some species can grow over 100 feet tall.
How to identify a Florida Oak tree
Each Florida oak is unique. This guide will help you identify the Florida oaks around you.
White Oak
Size: The white oak will be the largest tree on this list. They typically grow to be 80 to 150 feet tall. Their trunks need to be wide to support their height. They are usually around 3-5 feet in diameter.
Leaves and flowers: Leaves are a dull green color, and the leaves are lobed, giving them their characteristic shape.
Red Oak
Size: The red oak is slightly smaller than the white oak, but it might not be discernible at first. Red oaks grow to be about 100-130 feet tall and can have a wider trunk at 3-6 feet in diameter.
Leaves and flowers: Its leaves are shiny and green, with dark, almost black, bark.
Willow Oak
Size: Willow oaks might be slightly smaller than the red oak. They can grow 80-130 feet tall and have a similar truck to the red oak, 3-6 feet when mature.
Leaves and flowers: The willow oak has long, light green leaves that give the tree its “willow” appearance.
Bluejack oak
Size: The Bluejack oak will be easy to tell apart from the trees above. The bluejack oak stand at 30 feet maximum.
Leaves and flowers: The bluejack has long and thin leaves. The upper leaf surface is an ashy, slue green and the lower is a silvery green.
Swamp White oak
Size: They can live in flood areas and usually stand about 70 feet tall.
Leaves and flowers: Their flowers are large and green with fuzz on the bottom of the leaves.
Chinkapin oak
Size: The Chinkapin oak is also smaller, like the bluejack. They typically grow from 10-30 feet tall.
Leaves and flowers: They have yellowish-green leaves that will turn gold and red in the autumn.
Chapman’s oak
Size: An evergreen oak that stands about 24 feet tall.
Leaves and flowers: The Chapman’s oak had very thick and almost leathery leaves with thick veins. The leaves are very dark green on the top of the tree and grey on the lower area.
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Laurel oak
Size: The laurel oak is a dense tree that stands 60 feet tall. Their trunks are 4 feet wide, and their canopy takes up a lot of space.
Leaves and flowers: They have oval-like shiny green leaves.
Post oak
Size: The post oak is relatively small for an oak tree and will stand about 40-50 feet tall.
Leaves and flowers: The canopy of a post oak is very dense, and their leaves have thick lobes.
Shumard oak
Size: the Shumard can grow up to 80 feet in height but are more narrow than most oaks.
Leaves and flowers: They have dark green leaves that turn red and orange in the fall.
Myrtle oak
Size: Myrtle oak is an evergreen tree that can grow to 25 feet tall.
Leaves and flowers: Their leaves are elliptic, oblong, or oval and are 1 to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. They are usually very dark green on top and yellow-green below. There are usually no flowers on the myrtle oak.
Water oak
Size: Water oaks can grow to about 75 feet in height.
Leaves and flowers: The water oak has spatulate leaves that are 3-4 inches long and 2 inches wide. The male plant has flowers that hang from the branches like caterpillars, called hanging catkins.
Running oak
Size: The running oak is a small shrub-like tree. It normally doesn’t grow more than 3 feet tall but can be up to 6 feet tall.
Leaves and flowers: The running oak has long, oblong leaves.
Southern live oak
Size: The southern live oak has a 6-foot-wide trunk that curves as it grows. It has large branches that can grow 80 feet high.
Leaves and flowers: The southern live oak has evergreen leaves. These oaks usually have Spanish moss attached to them.
There are many different types of Florida Oak trees. We hope this list is helpful. Of course you don’t need to guess about what trees you have and how to keep them healthy. Our certified arborist, Nick Mayl, can help you keep all your trees healthy. A healthy tree is a safe tree, especially when it’s around your home and family.
