This tree was already growing in the yard when we moved into the house in May 2011. Many (most) houses in this part of Texas have Live Oaks in their yards.
It seemed to be surviving the drought OK, however, the branches were smothered in woody galls. This tree has grown steadily each year with impressive thickening of the trunk.
In the winter of 2015 / 2016 it suddenly had about 7 large wounds on its lower trunk. I have never seen anything like this on any other Live Oak in the surrounding region. I can only think that it must have been done by a confused bird of some kind. The picture below shows the damage - I'm thinking the presence of the "southern flannel moth" stinging caterpillar is a coincidence. This is one of only four of my oaks that produce a significant amount of acorns (the other ones are Water Oak, White Oak, and Burr Oak). The 2016 crop was much less than previous years though. The pictures below are from September 18th 2016 - the margins towards the tips of most of the younger leaves were yellowish green - I'm not sure what affliction this was.
In spring of 2017, the Live Oak produced more catkins than I had seen before. The pictures below were taken on March 18th.
On September 24th 2017, the tree was heavily loaded with bright green acorns. When I took the picture below, I had not noticed the preying mantis sitting there. I think it's a female Carolina Mantid.
The tree did fine through 2018 and 2019, with the trunk growing a little thicker each year.
Found a new interesting type of caterpillar on the Live Oak in late March 2020 - looks like it is a Fir Tussock Moth caterpillar.
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Live Oak (early July 2021)
Live Oak (early July 2020)
Live Oak (end of June 2019)
Live Oak (July 2018)
Live Oak (July 2017)
Live Oak (July 2016)
Live Oak (July 2015)
Live Oak (April 2013)
Live Oak (2012)
Live Oak (2011)
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