Family: Fagaceae

Form: Massive, old trees become huge to 80 feet and are known as "granddaddy oaks".  Trunk is stout and short in proportion to overall height.  Large, thick branches make tree broader than tall.  Branches extend upward into a broad crown.  Evergreen

Leaves: Alternate, dark shiny green above, paler green finely tomentose on lower surface, oblanceolate, simple, entire, stiff and leathery

Stem/Bark: Deep gray, darker gray as tree ages.  Surface, deeply grooved

Flower: Not ornamental.  Male catkins several inches long, drooping greenish yellow clusters bearing tiny crowded flowers.  Appear in spring as old leaves fall and are replaced with new leaves

Fruit: One inch acorns are abundant, frequently in clusters of  2 - 5.  Cup encloses about one-third of acorn

Comments: One of 7 oak species native to Florida, Quercus virginiana is distinguished by not having lobed leaves and by its fissured bark