Quercus nigra L.

Southeastern USA; 0 to 450 m; introduced in Europe in 1724;

reaches 25 m tall; trunk slender; rounded crown;

4-13 x 2-5 cm; variable in shape (sometimes entire, sometimes 2-3 shallow lobes near apex, which is always wider than the base); base cuneate; rich green, hairless adaxially; some axillary tufts of hairs beneath; falling late winter; short hairless petiole (0.5 cm);

staminate catkins drooping, 5-8 cm long;

acorn globose 1-1.5 cm in diameter; singly or paired; blackish with paler streaks; enclosed 1/4 to 1/3 by cup; cup shallow, broad, pubescent, red brown; maturing in 2 years;

hardy; prefers moist, even wet, limefree soils; fast-growing; lives up to 150 years;

– A.Camus : n° 414; – Sub-genus Quercus, section Lobatae, subsection Phellos; – Related to Q.marilandica ; – “nigra” after the blackish coulour of acorns and bark; – Numerous hybrids, among them : x garlandensis E.J.Palmer with Q.falcata , x walteriana Ashe with Q.laevis , x sterilis Trel. with Q.marilandica , x capesii W.Wolf with Q.phellos , x neopalmeri Sudw. with Q.shumardii , x demarei Ashe with Q.velutina ;