Water oak (Quercus Nigra) part 2

The water oak thrives in wet lands and is commonly found along ponds, rivers, swamps, shallow banks and estuaries. It also tolerates well drained soil. It grows in a variety of soil including sandy, clay and loam. Because the water oak tends to grow fast, it is often the most common species when there is water.

Unlike other trees, the water oak has a short life of about 50-70 years. The tree is not hardy and cannot tolerate shady conditions. Often the water oak is used to restore wetlands and forest that was previously cleared for agriculture.

Today, many hybrids of the water oak are available including the Southern red oak, blue jack oak, American Turkey oak, blackjack oak and black oak. These hybrids also grow fast but are more durable.

The water oak can rapidly cover moist landscape and is also an important source of food for deer, squirrel, raccoons, turkey and ducks. The wood of the water oak is often used for timber and fuel in the country side

Water oak (Quercus Nigra) part 1

The water oak (Quercus Nigra) is an oak native to most parts of south and eastern USA. The tree usually is found growing in low flat lands and is often up to an altitude of 1500 feet.

The Water oak is a medium sized tree that grows to about 80-100 feet when fully mature. It also had a large trunk with a diameter of 3-4 feet. The young trees have a smooth bark which does become dark grey and scaly as it matures. The leaves are alternate, deciduous and fall off during autumn.

The water oak has spatula shaped leaves which are quite broad at the top and wedged shaped at the base. The water oak is easily identified by its leaves which have a lobe that appears as if a drop of water is hanging from edge of the leaf.

Usually the top surface of the leaf is bluish green and the lower surface is duller. The tree has a globular shape at the top when fully mature.

Virginia Pine part 2

Overall the Virginia pine is a trouble free plant but occasionally does get affected by pests. The chief reason why landscapers like the Virginia pine is that it requires low maintenance, and it grows where no other tree can thrive. It is often used as a cover for infertile land, large arid landscapes, abandoned fields and infertile ranch land. Frequently, the Virginia pine is also referred to as the poverty pine.

The tree does provide food for the white tail deer and also offers ground cover for small mammals like rabbits and squirrels. Because of its soft wood, the Virginia pine is a favorite home for woodpeckers.

The Virginia pine also grows with many species of fungi which has a symbiotic relationship with each other. The fungi absorb nutrients from the tree and pass it on to the inner leaves.

The Virginia pine is easily recognized by its short needles which range from dark to yellowish green. The needles are twisted and are quite stiff. The flowers of the Virginia pine appear in early spring followed by cones; these cones have sharp prickles like many other pines. As the Virginia pine tree matures, the bark does become scaly and reddish brown

Virginia Pine part 1

Virginia Pine is an evergreen conifer seen in many parts of eastern and central parts of North America. It is found growing in the wild all the way from the Appalachian Mountains to SE Ohio and on to Maine. The Virginia pine grows well on sandy soil, rocky surfaces and along open country fields. Sometimes the Virginia pine grows in inhospitable environments thus giving it the name scrub pine. When the Virginia pine grows on such unreceptive terrain, its growth is usually stunted and the shrub appears more like a weed.

When the Virginia pine matures, its wood is often used for lumber or firewood. However, during fall the tree is also used as Christmas tree decoration because the tree can be easily pruned into a nice pyramidal shape. In some parts of the country, the Virginia pine forms a pleasant scenic background of tangled branches and fine consistency of the leaves.

The Virginia pine is a shallow tree reaching heights of 30-40 feet when fully mature. It also tends to grow wide at the base when it grows out in the open. It has an irregular pyramidal shape when young but quickly becomes distorted and globular. Being a member of the pine family, the Virginia pine is also related to the larches, firs, spruces and hemlocks.

Virginia Pine generally grows in soil where no other evergreen or pine will grow. It does require well drained soil which is slightly acidic. It prefers sandy loams or heavy clay soil to thrive. Unlike other shrubs, it tends to thrive when neglected and easily invades the nearby alleys, road side and rural lanes.

It is best suited to zones 4-8