Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Swamp white oaks are native to the northeastern and north central United States as well as to eastern and central Canada. Durable and resilient, they can live up to 350 years. Lowland trees, swamp white oaks are suitable for growing in low spots, though they can adapt to a range of conditions from wet to dry. They do best in acidic soils. Swamp white oaks have a moderate growth rate, are relatively easy to transplant and are very well suited as shade trees. They are, however, susceptible to a number of diseases and insect pests and are not tolerant of salt spray.
Physical characteristics:
Form: Medium sized tree with a broad, rounded crown and short trunk. Grows 50 to 60 feet high and wide.
Leaves: 4-7” long, 2-4” across, shiny green on top surface, silvery-white below. Fall color is a brownish-orange to golden brown. Leaves are two-toned but not as vibrant in hue as with white oaks.
Flowers: Insignificant yellow-green catkins in April. Attractive to birds.
Fruit: Acorns are 5/8” to 3/4” long and 3/8” to 3/4” wide with a warty cap. They are an important food source for squirrels, mice, deer, bears, birds and turkeys.
Bark: Peeling and flaky with an orange inner bark on young trees, greyish-brown with blocky ridges on mature trees.
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Physical characteristics:
Form: Medium sized tree with a broad, rounded crown and short trunk. Grows 50 to 60 feet high and wide.
Leaves: 4-7” long, 2-4” across, shiny green on top surface, silvery-white below. Fall color is a brownish-orange to golden brown. Leaves are two-toned but not as vibrant in hue as with white oaks.
Flowers: Insignificant yellow-green catkins in April. Attractive to birds.
Fruit: Acorns are 5/8” to 3/4” long and 3/8” to 3/4” wide with a warty cap. They are an important food source for squirrels, mice, deer, bears, birds and turkeys.
Bark: Peeling and flaky with an orange inner bark on young trees, greyish-brown with blocky ridges on mature trees.
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