Quercus nigra
Water Oak
Pronunciation
KWER-kus NY-grah
Family
Genus
Nativity
Mid-south, coastal plain and piedmont
Growth Habit
Conical to round-topped outline.
Hardiness
6
Culture
Low wet woods and floodplains, well adapted to compacted soils, full sun
Facultative Status
Facultative
Landscape Use
Water Oak is adaptable to many conditions but it is weak wooded and thus more likely to crack in wind, snow and ice than other oaks. Has great 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.
Flower
Insignificant monoecious flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring.
Fruit
Acorn
Propagation
Seed requires about 105 days of combined stratification and germination time for maximum germination.
Pests
None serious.