Dry to mesic upland forests and rocky woodlands, usually on soils weathered from calcareous or mafic rock; restricted to shell-rich, calcareous soils in the Virginia Coastal Plain; east of the mountains also scattered in rich, well-drained alluvial forests, especially on high levees and river banks. Common in limestone and dolostone districts of the mountains; elsewhere in the state, it is widely distributed but more or less infrequent
The wildlife value is high. The acorns are eaten by woodpeckers, blue jays, small mammals, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and black bears. Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. Also supports the Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album), Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) and Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis). It attracts a wide range of insects which in turn feed the birds. Provides cover and nesting areas for wildlife
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
Abdominal pain, constipation then diarrhea (occasionally bloody), depression, frequent urination, discolored urine, jaundice; acorns can obstruct the digestive tract
My Native Garden
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