The Laurel Oak (Darlington Oak) - Quercus hemisphaerica, is a large semi-evergreen that can reach upwards of 80 feet tall. Due to it's semi-evergreen nature the tree slowly loses leaves throughout the winter months but still has some green leaves remaining in the Spring season when the new leaves begin to appear. The Laurel Oak is most often planted as an ornamental tree. Naturally the Laurel Oak is found growing in waterways and bottom lands where the ground remains moist . Although it prefers wet areas, it can still preform well in dry soils. Naturally the Laurel Oak is found growing along the Coastal Plain from Southeastern Virginia up the Mississippi River floodplain to Kentucky.
Image Citation: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Even in the Winter season, the leaves are the fastest way to identify the tree. The leaves are narrow and long, 2-4 inches long and 1/2 to 1 inch wide and may be rounded or tapered before flaring out gently along the length of the blade. The rough bark pattern becomes smoother on the upper trunk and along the major limbs. Unlike most Oaks the leaves of the Laurel Oak easily break when bent. The acorn is 1/2 inch long and almost perfectly rounded, 1/4 of the nut is enclosed by a saucer shaped cup. Acorns take two full years to mature.
Image Citation: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Very similar to the Diamondleaf Oak, although the leaves differ on the lower surfaces, vein axils and habitat. The Bluejack Oak is another similar species however their leaves have a blue or gray tint.
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