Water Oak
The Water Oak tree, Quercus nigra, is also known as a spotted oak or possum oak. Water Oak trees are a conical to round-topped tree. It is a popular tree in the South as a shade and street tree. This deciduous tree is fast growing and it starts producing acorns before its 10th year. The Water Oak is found along streams and low ground. It is a tall tree with a slender trunk . The Quercus nigra is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. The plant prefers medium to heavy soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure. Acorns are 1/2 inch long, very dark in color, and 1/3 covered by a flattened cap. It matures in September of the second year. The Water Oak trees attractive form makes it a popular landscape and shade tree. Water oak acorns provide food for many animals such as squirrels, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey. ... find out more
Mockernut Hickery The Mockernut Hickory tree, Carya tomentosa, is also called a White Hickory, Whiteheart Hickory, Hognut and Bullnut. The twigs are stout and reddish-brown to grayish-brown in color. This tree grows well on rich, moist, well-drained soils of upland areas. Mockernut Hickory trees grow throughout most of the eastern United States and westward to eastern Texas. It is most common in the southern part of its range. As with the Shagbark Hickory, the wood of this tree is hard, strong, tough and elastic, and is used in handles for tools and in athletic equipment. The unusually small kernels from the nuts are sweet and edible. It is long lived, sometimes reaching the age of 500 years. This and the other hickories are very desirable both for forest and shade trees.
