Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood, Native
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
None (Wild species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-8; very adaptable to cold climates and swampy conditions.
About This Tree
A medium to large long-lived tree with a broad, rounded crown. It is known for its distinctive peeling bark on young branches and bi-colored leaves. It grows at a moderate rate and becomes very stately with age.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, obovate-oblong leaves, 4-7 inches long. Leaves have wavy margins with shallow rounded lobes/teeth. Dark green and glossy on top, with a silvery-white, velvety/hairy underside. Fall color is yellow-brown to reddish.
Bark Characteristics
Dark grayish-brown and deeply furrowed into blocky ridges on mature trunks. Young branches and stems exhibit a distinctive papery, peeling texture that reveals lighter inner bark.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North America; primarily Northeast and Midwest United States and parts of Southeast Canada
Growing Season
Leaves emerge in spring with catkin blooms in April-May; acorns ripen in September-October; dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (6+ hours). Prefers moist, acidic, poorly drained soils but is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Height: 50-60 feet; Spread: 50-60 feet; Growth rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year); Lifespan: 300+ years.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of wet soil and urban pollution. Leaves are distinctive for the color contrast between top and bottom. High timber value for heavy wood. Resistant to Oak Wilt relative to the Red Oak group.
Wildlife & Ecology
Excellent ecological value; produces sweet acorns that are a primary food source for turkeys, deer, ducks, and squirrels. Provides nesting sites for birds and is a host plant for numerous butterfly and moth larvae including Hairstreaks.