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A great tree for naturalized areas or a shade tree in large areas, particularly in low spots or moist areas in the landscape, the Water Oak is a fast growing North American native tree that adds 2 feet or more in size per year reaching 50 to 80 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide when all grown up. The spatulate small leaves up to 4 inches long with 1 to 5 rounded lobes are blue-green turning reddish-brown in fall. In Zone 8 and 9 the tree is sometimes evergreen. Insignificant flowers occur in spring in the form of catkins which are followed by small, rounded, near-black acorns wearing a light tan top cap. Young bark is smooth and light grey becoming furrowed and dark grey with age. As is with most oak trees, the Water Oak has many benefits to wildlife, supporting many species of butterflies, moths, birds and mammals. Though it appreciates a moist to wet soil it is drought tolerant when established and also resists salt air, making it a good selection near the coast.

Growing 50 to 80 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide at maturity, the Water Oak thrives in a moist to wet soil so is excellent for use near lakes, ponds, creeks, streams and other bodies of water. That said, it is also drought tolerant so makes for a good shade tree in large spaces and is excellent for groupings or forestation or reclamation projects in moist to wet areas, but not constantly standing water. A fine addition to native plant gardens and wildlife gardens where the acorns are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, deer, wild turkeys, blue jays, red-headed woodpeckers and many other wildlife species. Also provides a canopy for shelter. 

Suggested Spacing:  65+ feet for space between trees

The Southern Red Oak is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained to dry soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. It prefers an acidic soil ranging from 4.0 to 6.0 on the pH scale. Established trees are exceptionally drought tolerant. We suggest at least 5 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. A very low maintenance tree that requires no pruning unless you want to remove some lower branches to expose more trunk. Young trees will benefit from fertilizer however older trees can usually get the needed nutrients from the soil and rain water.