About Quercus arkansana Sarg.
Quercus arkansana Sarg. is a deciduous tree that reaches a maximum height of 15 meters (49 feet), with black bark. Its leaves vary: some are unlobed, while others have 2 or 3 shallow lobes. This species is a shade-loving tree that grows in the understories of mesic pine forests and southern hardwood stands. It is also frequently found growing in sandhills, the upper sections of ravines, steepheads, and above the heads of small streams. It rarely acts as a dominant component of local vegetation, with the only exception being a small number of locations in Arkansas and Florida where it forms large, dense stands. Within its habitat, it grows alongside two species of pine: Pinus taeda and Pinus echinata, plus other pine species. It also grows alongside a range of other oak species: Quercus nigra, Quercus pagoda, Quercus margarettae, and Quercus hemisphaerica. It is found growing among various additional hardwood species, including Nyssa sylvatica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Vaccinium arboreum, Sassafras albidum, Magnolia grandiflora, and Diospyros virginiana. Natural hybrids between Quercus arkansana and Quercus nigra have been observed in Georgia, and genetic introgression from Quercus falcata has been recorded in Texas.
