The Water Oak grows in acidic, drought tolerant, loamy, sandy,
well drained, wet, wide range, clay soils. The Water Oak is a
North American native with significant soil tolerance. It does
not compete well and does not tolerate even light shade. Water
oak is frequently used to restore bottomland hardwood forests in
the Southeast on land that was previously cleared for
agriculture or A North American native, Water Oak is adapted to
wet, swampy areas, such as along ponds and stream banks, but can
also tolerate other well-drained sites and even heavy, compacted
soils. Water oak acorns are at the top of the food preference
list for whitetail deer, squirrels, raccoons, pigs, wild
turkeys, mallards, wood ducks, and quail. In wintertime, deer
will browse the buds and young twigs. The Water Oak has been
used as a source of timber and fuel by people in the southern
states since the 1600's. Many homes were built and heated by
giant trees that sprouted hundreds of years before Columbus. The
Water Oak tolerates wet sites,