WATER OAK {Qiicrcus nigra L.) 



THE water oak is found native along the borders 

 of swamiDS and streams and on rich bottomlands, 

 over the Coastal Plain and somewhat farther inland. 

 It has been considerably planted in the Southern 

 States along streets and in parks as a shade tree. 

 When fully grown this tree reaches a height of about 

 80 feet and a diameter of from 1 to over 3 feet. The 



trunk is shapely. 

 The bark is 

 smooth, light 

 brown winged 

 with red, and has 

 many smooth thin 

 scales over the 

 surface. The 

 water oak can be 

 most readily dis- 

 tinguished from 

 the willow oak — 

 a close associate, 

 but longer-lived — 



WATER OAK 



Leaf, one-third natural size. 

 Twig, one-half natural size. 



by the differences in the general shape and size of 

 the leaves. 



The leaves are simple, quite variable in shape, 

 mostly oblong, broader near the point, and narrower 

 at the base, giving a wedge-shaped effect. They are 

 usually slightly 3-lobed at the outer end, thin, and 

 of a dull bluish-green color, paler below than above ; 

 mostly smooth, and usually 2 to 3 inches long and 

 1 to 2 inches wide ; they remain green for some time 

 and gradually fall from the tree during the winter. 



The flowers appear in April when the leaves are 

 beginning to unfold. The fruit, or acorn, matures 

 at the end of the second season. The acorn is from 

 one-half to two-thirds of an inch in length and 

 nearly as broad, light brown or yellowish brown and 

 often striped, enclosed at the base only in a thin 

 saucer-shaped cup. 



The wood is heavy, hard, and strong, light brown 

 in color, with lighter-colored sapwood. It is not 

 used to a great extent as lumber, but the trees are 

 cut and utilized for piling, crossties and fuel. 



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