Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata)

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Overcup oak, also called swamp post oak, swamp white oak, or water white oak, is a very slow-growing species that may take up to 30 years to produce fruit. Found most often in wet sites, it is very tolerant of flooding and survives well when the roots are underwater for long periods of time. The trees are susceptible to heart rot.

In spite of its irregular, often contorted look, overcup oak is occasionally grown as an ornamental, or a shade tree, but has limited value as a timber species, since the wood may warp easily. It is sometimes used for cabinetry and furniture, or in barrel making, but is more often used as a rough lumber.

Twig, leaves, and acorn

The scientific name of the oaks comes from the Celtic words quer (fine) and cuez (tree). The ancient Greeks and Druids considered oaks to be sacred trees, while early Romans dedicated oak trees to their god, Jupiter.

Along with other members of the oak family, overcup oak is said to have some medicinal properties. Herbalists use the bark to treat fevers, dysentery, bleeding gums, or sore throats. The bruised leaves may be used to help heal wounds. Extracts from the bark are also used to tan leathers and to produce a purplish dye.

Overcup oak is found in coastal plains from Maryland, south into northern Florida and west into Texas. The trees also grow in the Mississippi River valley, as far north as Illinois and Kentucky.


Identifying Characteristics
Size/Form:
Overcup oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree with crooked, or twisted branches. It averages from 60' to 90' in height, but may occasionally reach 100' tall and 2' to 3' in diameter. The crown is characteristically irregular and open.
Leaves:
The leaves are simple, alternately arranged and generally oval to elliptical, about 6" to 10" long and 1" to 4" wide. The leaf base is wedge-shaped and the apex is variable. Leaf margins have 5 to 9 lobes and are extremely variable, with irregular sinuses. Leaves are dark green, lustrous and smooth above and paler and smooth, to somewhat hairy, below. Petioles are about 1" long and slender.
Fruit:
The fruit is an acorn, about 1" long, with a scaly cup that covers nearly 2/3 of the nut. Fruits are nearly sessile and generally are solitary, or in pairs.
Bark:
The bark is up to 1" thick, rough and grayish-brown, with irregular ridges and a spirally distorted look. The twigs are slender and smooth, with homogeneous, star-shaped pith.
Habitat:
Overcup oak is a bottomland species that grows on poorly drained, alluvial or clay soils, subject to prolonged inundation with water. It is most often seen on low, wet sites, along swamp edges, and sloughs.

Contact Information

University of Florida IFAS
136 Newins-Ziegler Hall
PO Box 110410
Gainesville FL 32611-0410

Phone: (352) 846-0850
Email: mlme@ufl.edu