Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

This native Eastern United States native is considered a non-native entry on the Ohio Champion Tree list. Its range approaches Ohio in Kentucky but ventures up the East Coast to New Jersey. It’s described as a weed tree in Georgia but the flowers must freeze in this part of Ohio because the nut (acorn) is not seen on the two large specimens at Spring Grove. The unique foliage has three rounded terminal lobes on a slender blade. The tallest trees reach over 100-feet in height but our champion specimen was measured to 80-feet. The champion specimen in Section 113 measured 138-inches in circumference, 81-feet in crown spread and 238 points. The backup specimen in Section 30 at 201-points is the second rated water oak in Ohio.