Live Oak Trees

[Bob S]

Our new house in Bonita is on a corner lot. It came with 3 fairly nice size ( about 3" diameter) Live Oak trees about 10 feet away from the house on the side nearest the corner. They are spaced about 20 to 25' apart.

Does anyone have experience dealing with this tree? I have heard that they are fairly shallow rooted and may kill surrounding grass or get under the house foundations. My wife is also not much of a fan of the moss that hangs from mature Live Oaks.

I hate to pull out trees, but was told that we need to do this before they reach a certain size or we will not be allowed to remove them. If we do remove them, does anyone have any good ideas about replacements. We like the looks but not the mess of palm trees.

Thanks for any advice.

[lasvegas]

Yes you will get quite a good root system with the Oak Trees. If you do curbing around them in the future it will crack so be careful on what border if any you use.

If you are going to take the trees out take them out NOW, if they get much larger TV will not allow you to take them out, 4 inches is when you have to leave them in and it is also much easier for them to be removed now the longer you wait the bigger the root system gets.

[Bogie Shooter]

Yes you will get quite a good root system with the Oak Trees. If you do curbing around them in the future it will crack so be careful on what border if any you use.

If you are going to take the trees out take them out NOW, if they get much larger TV will not allow you to take them out, 4 inches is when you have to leave them in and it is also much easier for them to be removed now the longer you wait the bigger the root system gets.

This is true, unless the tree dies.;)

[tghoul]

There is a saying associated with Live Oaks: "a hundred years to grow; a hundred years to live; and a hundred years to die".

They are beautiful trees in the proper setting, say a southern plantation. I spend the summer on the North Carolina shore and the Live Oaks are everywhere and very beautiful (in an open setting).

Mrs tghoul

[Ooper]

I agree with Bogie Shooter... gotta leave em in if they are over 4" in diameter.... unless they die! :icon_wink:

[ijusluvit]

In most cases, the real beauty of TV homes is in the landscaping. And it makes a huge difference if you decide to sell. You are wise to consider removing the live oaks now while they are less than 4", not only because they may eventually cause problems, but more because 3 of them on a corner lot will probably never be much more than rather boring.

Unlike where we come from in Western New York, there are literally hundreds of colorful trees, shrubs and smaller plants which thrive in TV. Look around, especially in the northern villages. You will see color all year, and fascinating landscape designs in many places. Go to a local garden club meeting and they will give you the names, advantages and disadvantages of all the common trees and plants. I for one like palms, especially Washingtonians, and am not sure what you mean by palms being messy. Also, don't hesitate to buy plants that are relatively small. They are so much less expensive, you can plant them yourself if you wish, and you will be amazed how quickly they grow.

Take your time. Make this landscaping thing an adventure. You won't regret it!

[NancyLou]

Does anyone have experience dealing with this tree? I have heard that they are fairly shallow rooted and may kill surrounding grass or get under the house foundations. My wife is also not much of a fan of the moss that hangs from mature Live Oaks.

Hi,

We winter in Bradenton, Fl. Our park has protected massive oak trees that crumple the driveways and drop leaves the entire winter. Our street has a mass clean-up at least 3-4 times a week just to keep them under control. The park sends out their crew constantly blowing the leaves and making a mess of our windows and screens. I must say our street looks lovely and shady, just plan to be cleaning up, the palm trees don't seem to make nearly a much a mess.

Nanc

[katezbox]

Hey Bob,

I checked out those oaks while driving by. I would get rid of them while you can. They will overwhelm your yard at some point. If you don't want to do palm trees, you might want to try islands with small palms and other plants/shrubby things. Jeff at Sunscape advertises on this site - he is good to work with and reasonable.

Kate (your fellow Bonita Bridgeport-er)

[Ohiogirl]

are you sure they're not Pin Oaks? Quite a difference, I think. We have one in the back yard of our courtyard villa (planted by the villages) that I think is going to be wonderful in 3-5 years. Check it out to be sure. Take a leaf or something to a nursery

[lasvegas]

I went by and took a look at them and they are Laurel Oaks.

[Bob S]

Now the really dumb question. What are Laurel Oaks? Are they as much a problem as Live Oaks?

[katezbox]

Now the really dumb question. What are Laurel Oaks? Are they as much a problem as Live Oaks?

Bob,

Go to this website... http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Laurel_oak/laureoak.htm

I can never get the links to work here so copy and paste into your browser.

The laurel oak is related to the live oak... so I think my opinion that they will be messy and provide more shade than you want still stands.

k

[graciegirl]

I don't know the difference between oak trees in Florida. They don't look anything like oak trees in Ohio.

[Ohiogirl]

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ffws/tffag.htm#laurifolia

Not sure how to do this link, but the U of F extension website takes you to a Florida tree page, and the oak we have (that TV planted in about every other yard almost 5 years ago). If you can't get there, try googling U of F Solutions for Life and go to Gardens/Landscape, etc. I believe is a different variety of Laurel Oak than the one KateZbox posted. This acorn is ovoid shaped, not round.

We love ours, but we are tree lovers in Ohio also. Yes, almost all trees are somewhat messy, and branches can break off in storms, etc. But, it provides wonderful shade already in the late afternoon on our south-facing lanai. Also wonderful habitat for birds - have 4 feeders and never tire of watching. We are gradually be trimming the lower branches as it grows but eventually it will be hanging over the roof.

This was the first year (new in 2006) that I noticed a significant acorn drop, mostly in Jan/Feb. Leaves drop also, appears to be as the new growth starts in spring. More gradual leaf drop than deciduous trees up north.

It's probably 20 feet tall already and about 6-8 inches in diameter at the base. Website says it will grow to about 50 feet, with a nice dome shape, and yes, it is fast-growing, but at this age I don't want to wait 10-20 years to get the mature tree look we like. Yes, they are work, and yes, they can be damaged and need cleanup in storms, but if you want a mature shade tree in Florida, I think it is a good choice. But then again - I love to be outside gardening/raking, etc. Or-sitting on my shaded lanai watching the birds. Once again, a matter of preference.

[k2at]

I have a corner lot which had 3 of the live oaks planted on it. They are messy and u will have root problems. Strong recommendation is to take them out now while u are still within the 4" limit.

[batman911]

Good for you Ohiogirl. I have large trees all around my present home and just love it. Yes, I pay to have them trimmed every few years but I can live without air conditioning all year. Birds are always in my yard and singing their thanks. Some of my neighbors, on the other hand, have rocks for a lawn and have large concrete slabs covering most of their back yards. Sorta looks like a house in a parking lot. You can imagine the heat the rocks and concrete retain even into the night and they run the air conditioners constantly, go figure. Their excuse is they do not want to do yard work. Trees and grass make any neighborhood nice no matter how inexpensive the homes are and yard work is great for your health.

[Ohiogirl]

Good for you Ohiogirl. I have large trees all around my present home and just love it. Yes, I pay to have them trimmed every few years but I can live without air conditioning all year. Birds are always in my yard and singing their thanks. Some of my neighbors, on the other hand, have rocks for a lawn and have large concrete slabs covering most of their back yards. Sorta looks like a house in a parking lot. You can imagine the heat the rocks and concrete retain even into the night and they run the air conditioners constantly, go figure. Their excuse is they do not want to do yard work. Trees and grass make any neighborhood nice no matter how inexpensive the homes are and yard work is great for your health.

Thanks, Batman, needed someone in my corner here. We too love the grass and tree look - yes, a little more work, but worth it to us.

But once again, want to point out that most of these oak trees in residential settings (yards) are LAUREL oaks, not Southern LIVE oaks. The LIVE oaks are the big spreading ones such as those at Stillwater and Buena Vista, dripping with Spanish Moss. I think people get confused because both keep leaves on all year.

[samhass]

We feel blessed to have a massive live oak in our yard. Does it get messy? Absolutely....but it is also absolutely worth it to us to have this magnificent tree in our yard. An American Bald Eagle hunts from the tree with her mate and brings her fledgling around, also. Hawks, owls, herons and other birds come to the tree to hunt or roost.
I love the swaying moss hanging from the massive branches. The tree is a thing of beauty...a great wonder to me.. and I will be a good steward for the tree as long as possible.

[LovingLife]

I love all trees; unfortunately some are planted in inappropriate places. Whether live oaks or laurel oaks, the ones you say are planted 10 feet away from your house will not likely cause any foundational issues for another 30-50 years. Spanish Moss is airborne, and sometimes (not always) finds live oaks a suitable place to hang out. Yes you will have leaves and probably acorns over the years; consider them one of the best natural sources of organic fertilizer for your lawn and other plantings - like azaleas and camellias - that LOVE to live under live and laurel oak trees. The leaves can be used as a natural mulch around the azaleas and camellias. As the tree grows, the shade it throws will affect the lawn/sod/grass underneath, that's why shade-loving plants do so well around their 'legs'.
Having said all that, if you remove the young oak trees, other shade trees you may want to consider are: (deciduous) Drake Elm, Bradford Pear, and Red Maple - or - (evergreen) Ligustrum, Magnolia (several varieties), Japanese Blueberry, one of the Holly varieties: Dahoon, East Palatka, Oak Leaf, or Nellie Stevens.
Stop by Fairfield Farms Nurseries on 301 to see these if you'd like - your choice then whether to buy there or elsewhere.




Our new house in Bonita is on a corner lot. It came with 3 fairly nice size ( about 3" diameter) Live Oak trees about 10 feet away from the house on the side nearest the corner. They are spaced about 20 to 25' apart.

Does anyone have experience dealing with this tree? I have heard that they are fairly shallow rooted and may kill surrounding grass or get under the house foundations. My wife is also not much of a fan of the moss that hangs from mature Live Oaks.

I hate to pull out trees, but was told that we need to do this before they reach a certain size or we will not be allowed to remove them. If we do remove them, does anyone have any good ideas about replacements. We like the looks but not the mess of palm trees.

Thanks for any advice.

[Bogie Shooter]

I love all trees; unfortunately some are planted in inappropriate places. Whether live oaks or laurel oaks, the ones you say are planted 10 feet away from your house will not likely cause any foundational issues for another 30-50 years. Spanish Moss is airborne, and sometimes (not always) finds live oaks a suitable place to hang out. Yes you will have leaves and probably acorns over the years; consider them one of the best natural sources of organic fertilizer for your lawn and other plantings - like azaleas and camellias - that LOVE to live under live and laurel oak trees. The leaves can be used as a natural mulch around the azaleas and camellias. As the tree grows, the shade it throws will affect the lawn/sod/grass underneath, that's why shade-loving plants do so well around their 'legs'.
Having said all that, if you remove the young oak trees, other shade trees you may want to consider are: (deciduous) Drake Elm, Bradford Pear, and Red Maple - or - (evergreen) Ligustrum, Magnolia (several varieties), Japanese Blueberry, one of the Holly varieties: Dahoon, East Palatka, Oak Leaf, or Nellie Stevens.
Stop by Fairfield Farms Nurseries on 301 to see these if you'd like - your choice then whether to buy there or elsewhere.

Lets see it has been 2 years and 5 months since the original question has been asked. I bet them trees have grown a bit since then.

[mrdills]

I have lived here for 15 years and my neighbor has an very large Oak tree in her very small yard and the tree drops leaves and acorns all year long on my driveway. If you don't clean it up right away it will stain the driveway. I think it the dirtiest tree in Florida and I would never recommend on planting one, unless you hate your neighbors.

[downeaster]

Live oak, laurel oak, palm tree, etc., Ten feet is too close to the house for my liking. Did the developer put it there?

I think a mature live oak is as gorgeous as it is majestic but a little messy with fallen leaves, fallen moss and twigs. It will plug up downspouts in no time. I am speaking from experience. My oaks are far from mature and are thirty feet from the house. I wouldn't trade one of them for a dozen palms.