Water oak

Quercus nigra L.

Family: FagaceaeZones: 6a-9b per NC State Plant Toolbox

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

fruits, leaves

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

gallotannins, quercitrin, quercetin

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA lists this plant toxic to horses only; no dog or cat statement. ASPCA has only the genus page "Oak (Quercus species)": toxic to horses (gallotannin). NC State tags water oak Problem for Horses. No cat or dog statement found. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Quercus nigra L., not on the common name.. NC State also says water oak is often confused with laurel oak (Q. laurifolia), swamp laurel oak (Q. hemisphaerica), willow oak (Q. phellos) and live oak (Q. virginiana). Check the botanical name.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 6a-9b per NC State Plant Toolbox
Light: Full sun per NC State.
Water needs: moderate moderate is a plain-language reading of NC State: drainage good, moist, occasionally dry or occasionally wet; tolerates wet soils. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: NC State: 50-80 ft tall and 50-70 ft wide; trunk about 3.5 ft across; available space more than 60 ft

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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