Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Fagaceae>Quercus nigra L.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

Water Oak is an fairly common medium-large tree of bottomland forests in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina.

Durham Co., NC 5/23/2012.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

Similar to Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) in tree shape and bark, but easily distinguished by the club-like lobes of the leaves.

Durham Co., NC 5/23/2012.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

Also compare with the semi-evergreen Laurel Oak (Q. laurifolia) and Sand Laurel Oak (Q. hemisphaerica) of the Coastal Plain.

Durham Co., NC 5/23/2012.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

The Blackjack Oak (Q. marilandica) also has club-shaped leaves, but is not otherwise similar -- it's a coarse small tree of drier areas, with much larger, glossier leaves that are hairy beneath and rough bark.

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) tree

Falls Lake, Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) leaves

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)
Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Chatham Co., NC 5/26/05.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Greenville, NC 11/1/05.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Greenville, NC 11/1/05.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) acorns

The acorns are small with a flattened cap.

Columbia, NC 10/2/05.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Bark of a small tree.

Greenville, NC 11/1/05.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

Hybrids of different species in the red oak group are not too unusual. Here's an apparent hybrid Q. nigra x Q. phellos in Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC.

More information:
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wetland Plants of the Carolinas

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides