Swamp White Oak*

Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)

Planting Site:
Street
Park/Residential
Description:

Swamp white oak is a large, long-lived shade tree with an irregular rounded crown. It is a broad-branching, 50- to 60-foot-tall tree with a short trunk. An impressive tree for open settings, it is good in large, open areas. Acorns ripen in the fall. The leaves are light colored and velvety beneath, and the bark of young trees is flaky. Leaves usually turn yellow in the fall, but there is a fair amount of variability, and some trees will exhibit deep-red leaves. Swamp white oak is native to the state and is found growing on moist sites. It should be planted in acidic soil and may be used in stressful urban environments.

Illinois native species.

Quercus bicolorQuercus bicolorQuercus bicolor

KEY

Street: Appropriate for restricted size planting sites; recommended by the City of Chicago Urban Tree Planting List
Park/Residential: Appropriate for landscaped planting sites including public parks, residential property, golf courses, cemeteries, etc.
Legacy: For plantings with an expected life span of more than 60 years; retained 50 percent or more climate suitability in models for the decade 2080
N/R +35 yrs: Not recommended for plantings with an expected life span of more than 35 years