Water Oak
Quercus nigra L.
Also known as Possum Oak or Spotted Oak.
Mature Size: 50 to 80 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in diameter.
Form: Straight trunk with slender branches and rounded or pyramidal crown.
Habitat: Rich bottomlands, stream and swamp edges, and moist uplands.
Leaves
Alternate, simple, 2 to 4 inches long, broader at the tip than at the base; may be spoon-shaped or slightly 3-lobed; deciduous but often remain on tree into winter.
Flowers
Males in hanging catkins, females on spikes; both appearing with the leaves in spring.
Fruit
½ inch rounded, very dark acorn, one third covered by a flattened, tight-scaled cap; maturing in two seasons.
Bark
Initially smooth, brown and tight; later becoming gray-black with wide scaly ridges.
Twigs
Slender, red-brown; end buds clustered, short, sharp-pointed, angular, red- brown.
Values and Uses
The wood is used for rough construction lumber, support beams, plywood and firewood. Acorns are eaten by a variety of wildlife. Water oak is commonly planted as a shade tree in the Southeast.
Did You Know?
Water oak is easily injured by fire.
