Water oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to the eastern United States, typically growing 50 to 80 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown and a trunk that can reach 3.5 feet in diameter. Hardy in zones 6 through 9, it thrives in full sun and moderate moisture, making it valuable as a shade tree or street tree in landscapes where its conical early form matures into a stately presence. The tree's brownish-gray bark deepens to grayish-black with age, developing the rough scaly ridging characteristic of oaks, while its showy acorn fruits provide seasonal interest and wildlife value.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-9
960in H x 720in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Water oak grows quickly to substantial size with a naturally attractive conical form that transitions to a broad rounded crown at maturity. Its native range spans from New Jersey to Florida and Texas, extending northward along the Mississippi River valley, making it well-adapted to diverse eastern climates. The tree handles moderate moisture conditions well, thriving in acidic, humusy soils enriched with organic matter, and performs reliably as both a shade and street tree where space permits.
Water oak serves as a valuable shade tree and street tree in residential and urban landscapes throughout its hardiness range. Its moderate growth rate and substantial mature size make it suitable for properties where long-term canopy cover is desired, and its showy acorn production provides food for wildlife including deer, squirrels, and migratory birds.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
No care instructions available yet for this variety.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Water oak, scientifically named Quercus nigra, belongs to the red oak group and is called possum oak in some regions. It is native primarily to the southeastern United States, with its range extending from coastal New Jersey southward to Florida and westward to Texas, then northward along the Mississippi River valley into western Kentucky and beyond. This geographic breadth reflects its long evolutionary adaptation to the varied moisture and soil conditions of eastern North America, where it has grown for millennia alongside native plant communities.”