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Quercus marilandica, Blackjack Oak

Very tolerant of drought. Not grown by many landscape nurseries but common in dry deciduous forests in the eastern US. Due to the coarse root system, the tree is often raised in fabric containers in field soil, is regularly root pruned in the field, or is grown in air root-pruning or copper root-pruning containers. The container systems allow for less circling roots along the edge of the root ball; the field systems may result in a greater portion of the root system harvested. Plants have been rooted from cuttings.

Trees occur in the panhandle of Florida east to Madison County.

Existing trees are often left near new homes and other buildings in new developments. Roots damaged by construction equipment decay quickly. This can leave the plant with few supporting roots in the years following construction despite a green canopy. The tree could fall over as a result. In addition, branches that are suddenly exposed to unlimited light when nearby trees are removed begin to grow rapidly. As a result, they could become too long and break. Keep them shortened with reduction cuts to help prevent breakage.

Oak wood is considered ring porous to semi-ring porous. Oaks serve as larvae host plants for the brown duskywing butterfly (Erynnis horatius) and the gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus).

National champion is 89 x 65 feet in Georgia.