The yellowish-brown wood is hard, heavy, tough, strong, and is used for structural beams, shipbuilding, posts, and in places requiring strength and durability.

The trees have been historically planted in cities. When planting live oak, it should be restricted to large yards or parks where the spreading form can be accommodated.

Live oak ranks as one of the heaviest native hardwoods - weighing 55 pounds per cubic foot when air dry. This weight or density makes live oak a good fuel wood, although it can be very difficult to split.