Water Oak is a medium-sized semi-evergreen oak of the southeastern United States, remarkable for its variably shaped leaves — some paddle-shaped, some three-lobed, often all on the same tree. It thrives in moist, lowland habitats and bottomland forests but also tolerates drier upland sites, making it one of the more adaptable southern oaks. Its small, dark acorns ripen in the second year and are heavily consumed by wood ducks, deer, and wild turkeys. It is commonly planted as a street tree in the South.
Best time to see a Water Oak
The best time to see a Water Oak is April–September, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 18,542 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Water Oak? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Water Oak sightings near you
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