Swamp White Oak
Plant Type: Dormant, bare-root
Zones: 3-8
Soil Type: Clay, Loamy & Sandy Soils
Site Selection: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Mature Height & Width: 60-80' Height and 60-80' Spread
Growth Rate: Moderate - 12-24" per year on average
Moisture Requirements: Average to wet soils
Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
The Swamp White Oak is a stately Oak tree for your low lying or wetter areas. This oak tree displays a dense oval shape in youth that matures into more of a symmetrical round shape. Its leaves are whitish on the underside and green on the top sides. Branches reach in an upward fashion during its youth and middle age but the canopy becomes more rounded as the tree matures. In autumn, the leaves turn a brown color but keep the whitish color underneath. The wood is indistinguishable from White Oak and is used for the same purposes. The Swamp White Oak produces acorns that wildlife enjoy. Please note: Oak trees grow with a tap root. A tap root is a thick, centrally located root that grows vertically. The tree(s) you receive will not exhibit a fibrous root system like many other hardwood species, and this is considered normal.
This oak tree will do well in areas with average moisture and even areas that dry out in the summer, displaying good drought resistance. However, if you are looking for a larger and long lived tree for the wetter areas of your property, the Swamp White Oak is a great choice. In its natural setting, this tree thrives in wet woods, swamps, wetlands, bottomlands, and near bodies of water. The green top and whitish bottom color of the leaves make for a nice display when the wind blows. The leaves turn a copper and orange color in autumn before dropping from the tree. The Swamp White Oak will commonly live to be 300-400 years old.
Common uses for the Swamp White Oak include:
- Larger and stately tree for those wetter areas
- Lumber used for many types of woodworking projects
- Strong trunk and limbs are not susceptible to storm damage
- Good wildlife value
