Laurel Oak Traditional Cache

Laurel Oak is next to the store parking lot. This is NOT the GZ tree. Parking should be no problem, stealth of course is. When I put it out I figured, not much to do about that. It's a beautiful tree that I'm glad to have learned about. BYOP and Check the bottom of the page for cache info.

Laurel Oak

Quercus laurifolia (swamp laurel oak, diamond-leaf oak, water oak, obtusa oak, laurel oak) is a medium-sized semi-evergreen oak in the red oak section Quercus sect. Lobatae. 

It is native to the southeastern and south-central the United States, from coastal Virginia to central Florida and west to southeast Texas.There are reports of the species growing in Pennsylvania and New jersey, but these probably represent introductions.

Quercus laurifolia is a tree growing to 65–80 feet (20–24 meters) (rarely to 130 feet (40 meters)) tall, with a large, circular crown. The leaves are broad lanceolate, 1–5 inches (2.5–12.7 centimetres) long and 0.5–1.75 inches (1.3–4.4 centimetres) broad, and unlobed (very rarely three-lobed) with an entire margin and a bristle tip; they typically fall just as the new leaves start to emerge in spring. The acorns, borne in a shallow cup, are hemispherical, 0.35–0.5 inches (8.9–12.7 millimetres) long, green, maturing blackish-brown about 18 months after pollination. Despite their bitter kernel, they are eaten by deer, squirrels and birds. Acorn production is often heavy, enhancing the species' value for wildlife.

The seedlings show embryo dormancy and germinate the following spring after fall ripening; germination is hypogeeal.

Swamp laurel oak grows rapidly and usually matures in about 50 years which has led to its wide use as an ornamental. It is host to the general oak-feeding insects but has no serious insect problems. Several species of Curculio weevils infest the acorns.

Soils and climate

Swamp laurel oak is found mostly on alluvial flood plains, from sea level up to 150 meters (490 feet) altitude. It will tolerate the wetter sites in association with other oak species but will not live with continuous or prolonged flooding. It is most often found growing in sandy soil near rivers and along the edges of swamps if not too frequently flooded. Swamp laurel oak grows in the hammocks of central Florida and on sand hills adjacent to swamps in west Florida. Swamp laurel oak grows best on ultisols and inceptisols.

The range has average annual temperatures from 16 to 21 °C (61 to 70 °F). It can withstand extreme lows ranging from −1 to −18 °C (30 to 0 °F). Extreme highs range from 38 to 43 °C (100 to 109 °F).

It needs between 1,250–1,500 mm (49–59 in) of rainfall a year. From 500–1,000 mm (20–39 in) of this is received during the growing season from April to September.

Uses

It is grown and marketed mainly as pulpwood. It is commonly used as an ornamental tree in landscaping because of its fast growth and pleasing appearance; it is planted with little regard to soil type. The acorns provide food for racoons, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, ducks, bobwhite quail, and small birds and rodents.

Laurel Oak is a tall, broad tree that grows to a height of 60 or more feet with a fairly symmetrical oval canopy spread of 40 to 60 feet. The fast growth rate results in relatively weak wood that is prone to break and decay. Laurel Oaks have a lifespan of 50 to 70 years when grown in ideal conditions. These trees are moderately drought tolerant and have a low salt tolerance.

The leaves of the Laurel Oak are smooth, narrow, shiny green on top and pale underneath with a yellow midrib. The margins of the leaves are either smooth or irregularly lobed. Acorns are about ½ inch long and found singly attached directly to the twig. The bark is a dark reddish-brown that becomes deeply fissured with age. 

Habitat: Laurel oak hails from the coastal plains from Florida to Texas and north to Virginia. It is most commonly found in the wild growing in low woods and alongside streams, rivers and swamps. The tree attracts animals such as deer, quail, ducks and squirrels. In the home garden, laurel oak may be grown in full or partial sun in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 9. It is often used as a shade tree where there is space to accommodate it.

The cache is a tied in, camoed "micro", that you may have to push hard to open. Please make sure that you close it tightly! It holds the usual rolled log, with a rubber band, in a sealed little plastic bag. Please make sure the bag is well sealed, before you put it back in the bottle. BYOP!