RANCHING


What Plant Is Important in January? Live oak (Quercus virginiana)


L


IVE OAK IS A NATIVE, WARM SEASON WOODY PLANT THAT grows on many soils and is found in most areas of the South. Live oak is a member of the Beech


family. There are several species that are found in Texas, Oklahoma and the South that are very similar in function. Live oak furnished the dense lumber for the outer


hull of the USS Constitution “Old Ironsides,” a fi ne shady area for Sam Houston’s army to camp during the fi ght for Texas independence and areas to draft a treaty with various enemies of our founding fathers. They line the road to many a country estate, provide


a place of romance at Texas A&M University, aka the “kissing oak,” and offer numerous places to hold court.


26 The Cattleman January 2014


• Live oak provides browse for domestic stock as well as many wildlife species.


• It sheds its leaves as it puts on new growth in the spring. While it seems to be an evergreen, it is re- ally a deciduous tree.


• Trees drop mast or acorns in the fall that provide food for whitetail deer, turkey and many other ani- mals. The young leaves are relished by domestic livestock and wildlife and provide much-needed nutrition when conditions are harsh.


• Live oak “motts” provide much-needed thermal cover for wild and domestic animals during periods of inclement weather.


• Live oak trees lend tremendous economic value to thecattlemanmagazine.com


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