This occurs mostly on the southeastern Coastal Plain, but it also occurs locally on damp uplands of the southern Interior Low Plateaus. In Ky. there is some uncertainty about the native range, given possible plantings and old obscure records (CW). Q. nigra does appear to be native in southern regions of the state, but very rare. There is a large tree near the cabins at Kentucky Dam Village State Park in MARS (166 cm dbh in ca. 2010; state champion according to forestry.ky.gov), as well as younger ones in the vicinity (M). There is also a large native-looking tree at the edge of Meadow Creek Swamp in WAYN (Clark et al. 2005). A few apparently native small trees have been recently found in a wetlands of BATH (K. Feeman at EKY) and ROWA (A. Risk, pers. comm.). The potential for long-distance dispersal by waterfowl is intriguing. Though distinct in leaf shape, nigra and phellos both have generally small, largely glabrous leaves (FNA 3). Also, acorns in both species are small with shallow cups, but those of nigra tend to be larger (9.5-14 × 9.5-14.5 mm versus 8-12 × 6.5-10 mm) with shorter cups (2.5-5.5 mm versus 3-6.5 mm). Leaves of nigra on vigorous sprouts after disturbance can vary much in shape, sometimes suggesting transitions to phellos (W). Hybrids have been reported from across most southeastern states (e.g. Burk 1963; FNA 3), but are not yet verified in Ky. Both species are becoming increasing popular in urban plantings, and tend to retain green leaves relatively late into the fall. An oak cultivar "Fire Water" originated from Starhill Forest Arboretum, Illlinois, reportedly the result of hybridization between nigra (a seedling from the Ky. state champion) and coccinea (Jablonski 2012).