TreeRM

Swamp white oak

Quercus bicolor 路 Fagaceae 路 also Bicolor oak

A medium-large oak with a broad, rounded crown and bark that peels on young branches to show orange underneath. Leaves are dark green above and silvery-white below, turning gold to orange-brown in fall, and stalked acorns come in pairs. It transplants easily, handles both flooding and drought once established and tolerates road salt, which is why it has become a favorite street and rain-garden tree (it was chosen for the 9/11 Memorial plaza).

Broadleaf, drops leavesMedium growthFull sunModerate water
Swamp white oak
Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚚馃嚘 Canada 路 Native to southern Ontario and Quebec.source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Native from Maine to South Carolina and west to Minnesota and Tennessee (more than 15 states).source

Recommended

  • 馃嚚馃嚘 Toronto, ON, Canada 路 On Toronto's list of species planted on streets (native to Ontario).source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Portland, OR, United States 路 On Portland's approved street tree list for planting strips 8.5 ft and wider.source

Care

Plant in full sun in acidic to neutral soil and avoid strongly alkaline sites. Water through the first two summers; it then tolerates wet feet and drought. Prune in winter to avoid attracting oak-wilt beetles; anthracnose, powdery mildew and galls are cosmetic.

Benefits

ShadeWildlifePollinatorsBirdsEdibleFlood tolerantDrought tolerantSalt tolerantFall colorLong lived

Good for

Street treeYard shadeparksStreambanks

Watch out for

Messy fruitToxic partsPest prone