We love the way this southern live oak, aka Quercus virginiana, heaved itself up out of the salty soil of Cumberland Island, GA, several hundred years ago (the country’s oldest are over 1,000 years old). Live oak is the state tree of Georgia—and the southern symbol of strength. Like Southerners themselves, the wood is incredibly tough and durable. Remember the naval vessel USS Constitution? Nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after her live oak hull survived repeated cannon fire during the War of 1812.
Live oaks support many types of epiphytic (air) plants, including Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) and resurrection fern (Polypodium polypodioides). These plants don’t harm the tree—they make it even more beautiful. And its massive amount of acorns are food for wild turkeys, wood ducks, jays, quails, whitetail deer, raccoons, squirrels, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and black bears, among others.
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2 Geeks @ 3 Knots 
Nice! I love the old oaks in FL too, but I learned more about them from your post than I had known after almost 20 years here!
🙂 Aren’t they gorgeous?! Where are you in FL?
In the Jax area
Heaven! Wish we could see live oak here in NY… guess we’ll make do with tulip magnolia and azalea. Thanks so much for visiting us, Joan! 🙂
We love our jewel magnolia and azalea here too, although admittedly they are more splendid up north! Anyway, my pleasure! See you around!