OAK, WATER      Possum Oak, Duck Oak, Spotted Oak                                                           

Quercus nigra                (KWER-kus NI-gra)

Deciduous to semi evergreen       Sun    Height 50 - 80 feet   Spread 30- 50- feet  Spacing 20- 50- feet

HABIT:  Large growing and spreading shade tree. The leaves are spoon-shaped, persistent, and sometimes evergreen. Some trees will be completely deciduous and other almost totally evergreen. Weak fall color varies from yellow to brown.

CULTURE:        Likes moist, neutral-to-acid soils and can be even grown in waterlogged, oxygen-deficient soils where other trees would have a great problem.

USES:              Shade tree.

PROBLEMS:     This tree needs plenty of moisture and neutral-to-acid soils. It will not grow well in the alkaline black and white soils of north and central Texas.

NOTES:            Laurel oak Quercus laurifolia is similar in appearance and adaptability and is often found growing near water oak.