Darlington Oak

Quercus hemisphaerica flowers about two weeks later than sympatric Q . laurifolia (W. H. Duncan and M. B. Duncan 1988).

Most authors have treated Quercus hemisphaerica as synonymous with Q . laurifolia . M. L. Fernald (1946) carefully examined the situation and concluded that Q . hemisphaerica is a distinct entity, but C. H. Muller (1951) argued that these two taxa "...are now certainly not separable even as varieties of the same species." Later (1970), Muller recanted by recognizing Q . hemisphaerica as a common component of stream terraces along the Gulf Coast.

Quercus hemisphaerica reportedly hybridizes with Q . falcata (C. H. Muller 1970); with Q . arkansana , Q . inopina , Q . marilandica , Q . myrtifolia , Q . nigra , Q . phellos , Q . pumila , and Q . shumardii (D. M. Hunt 1989); and with Q . incana (producing Q . × sublaurifolia Trelease), and Q . laevis (producing Q . × mellichampi Trelease).

Trees , evergreen or tardily deciduous, to 35 m. Bark much like that of Q . laurifolia . Twigs light brown to dark red-brown, 1-2.5 mm diam., glabrous. Terminal buds reddish to purplish brown, ovoid, 2.5-5 mm, glabrous or with ciliate scale margins. Leaves: petiole 1-5(-6) mm, glabrous. Leaf blade narrowly ovate or elliptic to oblanceolate, 30-120 × 10-40 mm, leathery, base obtuse to rounded, rarely attenuate, margins entire or with a few shallow lobes or teeth near apex, awns 1-4 (rarely as many as 8-10 on 2d-flush growth), apex acute or acuminate, occasionally obtuse; surfaces abaxially glabrous, rarely with minute axillary tufts of tomentum, adaxially glabrous. Acorns biennial; cup saucer-shaped to bowl-shaped, rarely turbinate, 3-10 mm high × 11-18 mm wide, covering 1/4-1/3 nut, outer surface puberulent, inner surface pubescent at least 1/2 distance to rim, scales occasionally distinctly tuberculate, tips appressed, acute to obtuse; nut broadly ovoid to hemispheric, 9-16 × 9-16 mm, glabrate, scar diam. 6-9.5 mm.

Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex., Va.

Flowering spring.

Moderately dry sandy soils, scrub sandhills, stream banks, occasionally on hillsides and ravines; 0-150m.

More info for the term: swamp

Darlington oak

swamp laurel oak
coastal laurel oak
diamond-leaf oak
laurel-leaf oak
laurel oak
obtusa oak
spotted oak
water oak

More info for the terms: swamp, tree

Swamp laurel oak is a rapidly growing, short-lived, semi-evergreen tree. It
can reach 148 feet (45 m) in height and 6.6 feet (2 m) in d.b.h.
Darlington oak is slightly smaller at 131 feet (40 m) [8], and a
geographic or climatic form in east Texas grows to only 30
feet (9.1 m) [40]. Poor site conditions may be responsible for the
smaller heights reported for Darlington oak.

Swamp laurel oak develops a large, well-defined taproot on upland sands, but
little else is known about its rooting habit [27]. Roots of trees
growing in wet areas are often buttressed, which provides stability in
wet soils and may help aerate the root system [43].

More info for the term: swamp

Darlington oak occurs from Virginia south to Texas and Florida [49]

Swamp laurel oak occurs on the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the
southeastern United States from southeastern Virginia to southern
Florida and west to the extreme southeastern Gulf Coast of Texas.
Disjunct populations occur north of its contiguous coastal range in
Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and South
Carolina [27,49].

More info for the terms: fire regime, hardwood, natural, surface fire, swamp

Swamp laurel oak is fire intolerant. It is frequently top-killed by even
low-severity surface fires because it has relatively thin bark. It is
also a poor natural pruner [27].

Many swamp laurel oak stands such as those on hydric hammocks owe their
existence to protection from fire [43]. Hardwood hammocks are extremely
susceptible to fire damage, especially during the dry season. A
dry-season surface fire may burn the organic soil down to the bedrock
[44].

If fire is suppressed, swamp laurel oak expands from hydric hammocks into
adjacent communities [43]. Unlike the original hammock, expanding
hammocks often have a dense saw-palmetto (Serenoa repens) understory. A
dry-season fire in Myakka River State Park, Florida, killed many large
swamp laurel oaks in the expanding hammock but not in the original hammock.
The dense saw-palmetto understory was, in part, responsible for the high
mortality of swamp laurel oak in the expanding hammock [19].


Information on the response of Darlington oak to fire was not available
as of this writing (1992). Research is needed on the fire ecology of Darlingon oak.

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which these
species may occur by entering the species' names in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".

More info for the terms: hardwood, swamp

Oak-dominated forests on elevated margins of wetland ecosystems are
often converted to loblolly (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (P. elliottii)
plantations because of the high productivity potential of these sites.
Prescibed fire is used to prevent hardwood establishment in the
plantations [3]. Swamp laurel oak up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) in d.b.h. can be
top-killed and sprouts kept small and controllable with prescribed
winter fires. Summer fires are also effective at hardwood control, but
do not enhance the wildlife food supply [2].

More info on this topic.

More info for the term: phanerophyte

Phanerophyte

More info for the terms: cover, facultative wetland species, hardwood, mesic, shrubs, swamp, tree, vines, xeric

Darlington oak grows on dry, sandy sites [11] including stable dunes
of beaches and islands [20], mesic and xeric hammocks, and sandhills
[7,42]. In east Texas, Darlington oak forms extensive mottes on
sandy hammocks and prairies [40].

Swamp laurel oak is generally considered a bottomland [47] or facultative
wetland species [1]. It is not as dependent on specific site conditions
as other hardwood associates [30]. It generally grows in soils that are
better drained than where water oak and willow oak grow, but grows in
very wet sites as well [40]. Swamp laurel oak commonly grows on alluvial
flood plains and sandy soils near rivers, swamps, and hammocks. It
grows best on soils of the Ultisol and Inceptisol orders [27].

Swamp laurel oak is moderately tolerant of flooding [11,43]. It is more
tolerant of prolonged soil saturation than is water oak or live oak, but
it cannot survive inundation during the entire growing season. Short
periods of deep inundation have been known to kill swamp laurel oak [43].
Swamp laurel oak grows on high lands surrounding swamps and major rivers which
flood deeply and frequently but drain rapidly because of relief. It
also grows on wet flats which are better drained than swamps [18].

In addition to bottomland forests, swamp laurel oak is found in bay swamps,
mixed hardwood swamps, river swamps, hydric hammocks, and cypress
(Taxodium spp.) ponds and strands [11,39]. Swamp laurel oak also grows on
barrier islands off the Atlantic Coast [17,21]. On an island off South
Carolina, laurel and live oaks grow 0.3 mile (0.5 km) inland from the
ocean on the southern end of the island and to the beach on the northern
end [17].

In addition to trees mentioned in SAF Cover Types; Habitat Types and
Plant Communities; and Taxonomy, overstory associates include Nuttall
oak (Q. nuttallii), white oak (Q. alba), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron
tulipifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), green ash (Fraxinus
pennsylvanica), swamp hickory (Carya glabra), and honeylocust (Gleditsia
triacanthos); and on wetter sites water hickory (Carya aquatica),
waterlocust (Gleditsia aquatica), and overcup oak (Q. lyrata). On
better-drained sites, swamp laurel oak is associated with spruce pine (Pinus
glabra), swamp chestnut oak (Q. michauxii), and cherrybark oak (Q.
falcata var. pagodifolia).

Common associates of swamp laurel oak in Florida are southern magnolia (Magnolia
grandifolia), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), scrub hickory (C.
floridana), and Carolina basswood (Tilia caroliniana).

Associated shrubs and small trees include American hornbeam (Carpinus
caroliniana), Virgnia-willow (Itea virginica), poison-sumac
(Toxicodendron vernix), swamp cyrilla (Cyrilla racemiflora), littleleaf
cyrilla (C. racemiflora var. parvifolia), sebastian bush (Sebastiana
ligustrina), dahoon (Ilex cassine), possumhaw (I. decidua), swamp
dogwood (Cornus stricta), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), tree
lyonia (lyonia ferruginea), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis),
pinckneya (Pinckneya pubens), and rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.).
Associated vines include coral greenbrier (Smilax walteri), laurelleaf
greenbrier (S. laurifolia), crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), muscadine
grape (Vitis rotundifolia), and Alabama supplejack (Berchemia scandens)
[27].

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

More info for the term: swamp

74 Cabbage palmetto
81 Loblolly pine
83 Longleaf pine - slash pine
84 Slash pine
88 Willow oak - water oak - diamondleaf oak
92 Sweetgum - willow oak
102 Baldcypress - tupelo
103 Water tupelo - swamp tupelo
104 Sweetbay - swamp tupelo - redbay

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES12 Longleaf - slash pine
FRES13 Loblolly - shortleaf pine
FRES14 Oak - pine
FRES16 Oak - gum - cypress

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: forest

K111 Oak - hickory - pine forest
K112 Southern mixed forest
K113 Southern floodplain forest

More info for the terms: fire-sensitive species, low-severity fire

Swamp laurel oak smaller than 3 inches (7.6 cm) in d.b.h. can be top-killed by
low-severity fire [2]. More severe fires may completely kill this
fire-sensitive species [27,34].

More info for the terms: frequency, swamp

The consistent and abundant acorn crops of these oaks are an important
food source for many animals, including white-tailed deer, raccoon,
squirrels, wild turkey, ducks, quail, smaller birds, and rodents.
Swamp laurel oak ranked second in quantity and frequency of acorns consumed
by wild turkey in Florida. In a study of the 10 most heavily used
winter foods of deer in Florida, swamp laurel oak acorns rated fifth, sixth,
and seventh in a 6-year period. Acorns of the black oak group do not
germinate until spring, unlike those of the white oak group, and are
an important winter food source [27].

More info for the terms: forest, mesic, natural, swamp

Darlington oak is present in high hammocks which are situated
between sand or clay hills and midslope hammocks [34].

Swamp laurel oak is often present in forested wetlands, a transitional
community between swamps and pine (Pinus spp.) flatlands or mesic
hammocks. It grows throughout hydric hammocks, from the swamp margin to
the drier sections, being replaced at the very dry end by live oak (Q.
virginiana) and water oak [43]. The following published classifications list swamp laurel oak
as a dominant species:

The natural communities of South Carolina [16]
Eastern deciduous forest [45]
Forest vegetation of the Big Thicket, southeast Texas [26]
Forest associations in the uplands of the lower Gulf Coastal Plain [33]
The natural features of southern Florida [6]
Ecological processes and vegetation of the maritime strand in the
southeastern United States [32]

More info for the term: tree

Tree

More info for the terms: basal area, density, natural, swamp

Swamp laurel oak is susceptible to oak leaf blister (Taphrina caerulescens),
actinopelte spot (Actinopelte dryina), and canker rots by various fungi.
Although not damaged itself, swamp laurel oak is a very susceptible host for
the alternative stage of fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum f. sp.
fusiforme), a serious disease of southern pines. Weevils (Curculio
spp.) infest the acorns of swamp laurel oak [27].

Swamp laurel oak will grow well on moderately drained sites using several
silvicultural systems. Natural regeneration is possible using the
shelterwood system but requires a relatively high density of 35 to 40
square feet basal area per acre (3.7-4.2 sq m/ha). If clearcutting is
used, direct seeding is the best method to regenerate swamp laurel oak.
Planting seedlings may be difficult because of poor drainage and
difficult access into bottomland sites [15].

AL AR FL GA LA MS NC SC VA TN
TX

Swamp laurel oak has attractive leaves and is often planted as an ornamental
[27].

Swamp laurel oak is considered a good deer browse [38].

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Swamp laurel oak sustains high leaf fall production from October to March
[43]. It flowers in February or March, at the same time that the last
of the previous year's leaves are shed. Acorns mature after 2 years and
fall in late September and October. Germination occurs in the spring
[27].

More info for the terms: root crown, swamp

Young swamp laurel oak sprouts vigorously from the root crown if top-killed
by fire. Older trees do not sprout as readily. Trees subject to
occasional fires commonly develop heart rot where fire wounded [27].

More info for the term: secondary colonizer

Tree with adventitious-bud root crown/root sucker
Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

More info for the terms: hypogeal, monoecious, seed, stratification, swamp, tree

Sexual: Swamp laurel oak is monoecious. Acorn production begins when the
tree reaches 15 to 20 years of age. Swamp laurel oak produces abundant
flowers almost every year and is a prolific seed bearer. Dissemination
of the heavy acorns is mainly by squirrels, but gravity and water also
play a role [27].

Germination is hypogeal. Although swamp laurel oak acorns generally germinate
in the spring, they exhibit only mild dormancy [27]. In one study,
acorns showed a 50 percent germinative capacity without cold
stratification [31]. Germination is unaffected or even slightly
increased by soaking acorns in water, a condition frequently encountered
in bottomland forests [48]. Seedlings grow rapidly [27].

Vegetative: If cut or burned, swamp laurel oak sprouts from the base of the
stump. Older trees do not sprout vigorously, and their sprouts are more
susceptible to decay than those of younger trees [27].

More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: climax, fire suppression, seed, swamp

Swamp laurel oak is shade tolerant and often becomes established under and
grows up through a dense canopy [27]. Monk [28] considers swamp laurel oak a
climax pioneer species because it invades successional communities and
is instrumental in the conversion to climax. It has produced successful
seedlings beneath a swamp laurel oak canopy [5].

Swamp laurel oak is also an early invader on some sites. It will invade early
seral wetlands if a seed source is nearby [9]. With fire suppression,
laurel and willow oaks invaded a wetland savanna in the Big Thicket area
of east Texas. The savanna eventually became an oak flat with very
little growing beneath the oaks and standing water much of the year
[46].

In the absence of fire, Darlington oak [10,29,42] and swamp laurel oak
invade and become established on former longleaf pine
(Pinus palustris) sites and sandhill sites [5,13,36]. Swamp laurel oak was
found on upland longleaf sites with colored sand, but not on harsher
white sand soils which are leached and well sorted [5].

For Quercus hemisphaerica:
Quercus hemisphaerica var. hemisphaerica
Quercus hemisphaerica var. maritima (Michx.) C.H. Mull.
Quercus laurifolia subsp. maritima (Michx.) E. Murray
Quercus laurifolia var. maritima (Michx.) E. Murray
Quercus phellos L. var. maritima Michx.
Quercus maritima (Michx.) Willd. [50]

For Quercus laurifolia:
Quercus laurifolia var. obtusa Willd.
Quercus obtusa (Willd.) Ashe
Quercus phellos L. var. laurifolia (Michx.) Chapman
Quercus succulenta Small
Quercus virginiana P. Mill. var. maritima (Michx.) Sarg. [50]

More info for the term: swamp

The scientific names of Darlington oak and swamp laurel oak are Quercus
hemisphaerica Bartram ex Willd. and Quercus laurifolia Michx. [4,8,40,43,49,50]

The historical nomenclature of these oaks is complicated. In the past,
most authorities, including Little [24], treated them as a single
species but differed on the appropriate scientific name [43]. More
recent authorities [4,8,40,43,49,50] recognize two species, Q.
hemisphaerica and Q. laurifolia, based on anatomical differences
and vast differences in site preferences. Swamp laurel oak (Q. laurifolia)
grows in wetlands. Darlington oak (Q. hemisphaerica) grows in
uplands; it has acute leaf tips and flowers 2 weeks later than
swamp laurel oak in the same area [8,12,27]. In many cases, the literature
treats Darlington and swamp laurel oaks as one species. Information from
authors that recognize and discuss Darlington oak and swamp laurel oak as a
separate species is included and noted as such.

Darlington and swamp laurel oak are placed within the subgenus Erythrobalanus, or
black (red) oak group. Swamp laurel oak is difficult to identify and is often
confused with willow oak (Q. phellos) and water oak (Q. nigra) [40]. It
has been suggested that swamp laurel oak is a hybrid between these two
species, but that may not be the case because willow oak is absent from
southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida where swamp laurel oak is abundant
[27].

Swamp laurel oak hybridizes with the following species [24,27]:

x Q. falcata (southern red oak): Q. X. beaumontiana Sarg.
x Q. incana (bluejack oak): Q. X. atlantica Ashe
x Q. laevis (turkey oak): Q. X. mellichampii Trel.
x Q. marilandica (blackjack oak): Q. X. diversiloba Tharp ex A. Camus

More info for the term: swamp

Although swamp laurel oak has hard, heavy, and strong wood, it is not good
quality lumber. It is marketed for pulp wood and also used for firewood
[8,27].

Quercus hemisphaerica (sand laurel oak, laurel oak, Darlington oak, laurel-leaf oak) is a species of oak native to the southeastern and south-central United States. It is in the red oak section Quercus sect. Lobatae. It is often confused with and closely related to the Quercus laurifolia (swamp laurel oak) in which it differs in several key characteristics.