Water Oak (Quercus nigra) Linnaeus, 1753 |
Synonyms: Quercus nana, Quercus uliginosa |
Quercus nigra is found on the coastal plains of southeastern USA from eastern Texas and Oklahoma to the Atlantic Coast; north to southern New Jersey and south to central Florida. It grows in clayey or sandy soils in mesic deciduous forests and pine barrens at 0-450 m ASL. Medium-sized deciduous tree with slender trunk; up to 30 m in height and 1 m DBH. Bark grayish black with rough scaly ridges; twigs dark red-brown. Leaves glabrous, obtrullate, with 2-3 shallow lobes. Acorns 10-14 mm in length, biennial. Relatively short-lived species for an oak (60-80 years). Hybridizes with other Quercus spp.