Largefruit Live Oak Plant Care

Largefruit Live Oak (Cerris macrocarpa) belongs to the Fagaceae family within the Cerris genus. Largefruit Live Oak is native to central and eastern North America. Largefruit Live Oak is also known as Large-fruited Live Oak.

Largefruit Live Oak displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 40 ft. Largefruit Live Oak produces inconspicuous catkins.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Largefruit Live Oak every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Largefruit Live Oak thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cerris macrocarpa tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Largefruit Live Oak prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Largefruit Live Oak to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Largefruit Live Oak is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Largefruit Live Oak can spread to about 40 ft (12.2 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 40 ft (12.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Largefruit Live Oak while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Largefruit Live Oak is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Largefruit Live Oak can be propagated through seeds, grafting.

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Largefruit Live Oak is susceptible to oak leaf blister, oak wilt, gypsy moth. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Largefruit Live Oak grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Largefruit Live Oak is native to central and eastern North America.