Quercus nigra

• BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus nigra
• COMMON NAME: Water Oak
• FAMILY: Fagaceae
• NATIVITY: Mid-south, coastal plain and piedmont
• GROWTH HABIT: 50-80’ (100’)
• HARDINESS:  USDA Zone 6 to 9
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS:  Low wet woods and floodplains, well adapted to compacted soils, full sun
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS: Climax
• FACULTATIVE STATUS: Facultative
• LANDSCAPE VALUE:  Wildlife value, fine texture, and dimorphic leaves
• FOLIAGE:   Alternate, simple, dimorphic in age.  Older leaves tend to have three lobes.
• BUDS:  Buds are very small and pointed, imbricately scaled.
• BARK:  Bark is weak and often darker in color and furrowed.
• FRUIT:  Acorn
• PESTS: None serious