Water Oak

Quercus nigra

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

▲▼ young trees 

▲▼ leaves 

Location on Missouri State University campus:  in retention basin area at southwest corner of National and Grand

Quercus nigra:  Water Oak

·         leaves alternate, deciduous to semi-evergreen, simple, oblanceolate with slight lobing toward tip, 2-4” long and 1/3 as wide; some green foliage often persists through winter—especially on younger trees

·         stems slender, smooth, red-brown

·         bark is gray-brown, slightly furrowed, like pin oaks (Quercus palustris) and willow oaks (Quercus phellos)

·         has growth habit similar to pin oaks—upper branches ascending, middle ones horizontal, lower ones more drooping; grows 50-80’ tall and ½ as wide

·         prefers moist, well-drained soils, tolerates wet soils, easy to transplant

·         medium to fast growth rate

·         native to southeast Missouri