River Trail Stop 7

Live oaks are the most common tree in the maritime forest.

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Stop #7: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) The live oak trunk is to the left of post number 7. The live oak is the dominant tree in the maritime forest. Its dark green leaves are present throughout winter until the new leaves appear in the spring. The outstretched branches form a dense canopy. Thick, waxy leaves protect the tree from excessive salt spray. Prior to use, they were soaked in water to remove the bitter tannins. The nuts were then dried and ground into a meal for bread. These same acorns also attracted wildlife such as deer, squirrel, and turkey which made for easy hunting. In the late 1700’s, live oaks were sought-after for building ships. It is estimated that by 1802, 80% of the live oak trees were harvested from Cumberland Island. The strong, dense wood of live oaks resisted rot and even cannon balls, hence the nickname of the U.S.S. constitution, ‘Old Iron Sides’. The curved, twisted growth of live oaks made them desirable for ship building.