The wood is weak. Shade tree. Semi-evergreen with leaves falling just before new leaves emerge. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Acorns can be a maintenance problem. , Wildlife, Provides cover for and nesting areas for birds and squirrels The acorns are used by squirrels, turkeys, and deer . , Habitat, Floodplains, seep slopes, mesic secondary woods. May invade flatwoods if there is fire exclusion. , Did You Know?, Larval host plant for Horace's dusky wing (Erynnis horactius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) b

Specimen shrub.  Thorniness makes it a good property edge hedge. , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure t , Considertions, Spiny , Wildlife, Birds eat the fruits (and the red&black arils). , Habitat, Dry coastal hammocks and shell mounds. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Thorns Larval host  for cassius blue (Leptotes cassius theonus), large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), and Miami blue (Cyclargus th