Fagaceae -- Beech family

    J. A. Vozzo

    Water oak (Quercus nigra), sometimes called possum oak or  spotted oak, is commonly found along southeastern watercourses  and lowlands on silty clay and loamy soils. This medium-sized  rapid-growing tree is often abundant as second growth on cutover  lands. It is also planted widely as a street and shade tree in  southern communities.