Swamp White Oak
Family: Fagaceae Native to: Eastern North America
Hardy to zone: 4
Eco benefits: valuable wood
Natural habitat: swamps & bogs, waters edge, inner forests
Shapes: round
Height: 60ft
width: 50ft
Growth rate: medium
Lifespan: 300-350 years
Tolerances: salt
Common uses: reforestation, landscaping, cityscape
Insects: japanese beetle
Light: full sun, partial shade
Transplanting: easy
Soil: tolerates heavy clay, tolerates wet feet, drought tolerant
A tough, salt resistant and drought tolerant tree when established. This has made the Swamp White Oak widely planted in landscapes. Native to Niagara and the eastern United States it can form hybrids with Bur Oak trees in the wild. The wood is strong and useful but not as prized as that of other Oaks.
Leaves
Shinny, dark green with lighter colour underneath (hence the name bicolor). Leaves are obovate and lobed, where lobes are not as deeply recessed as most other oaks. Fall colour is gold or yellow.
Bark
Shaggy, exfoliating bark peels in long, narrow strips.
Acorns
Each acorn cap scale has a small, curved tip.
Pests & Disease
No serious pests except occasional Gall Wasps and Japanese Beetles (skeletonizing of leaves).