Meet the Willow Oak
Willow Oak | Quercus phellos
How do you know it’s me?:
I am a large deciduous tree.
My leaves are unlike most other oaks - long and slender, with smooth edges (not lobed or serrated).
My leaves are alternate, and 2”-5” in length. Oftentimes, they have a pointed tip.
Once I reach maturity, my crown of leaves has an oval, rounded shape.
I have gray-brown bark that starts out somewhat smooth, but becomes increasingly furrowed with age.
My fall acorns are very small, about 1/2” long, with a scaly cap, and a striped pattern.
I have a cluster of pointed, scaly buds at the end of my stems.
How big do I grow?: 40’ - 75’ height and 25’ - 50’ spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun to part shade.
Where I prefer to put my roots: Acidic, well-drained soils. I thrive in medium moisture to wet soils, and am adaptable to a wide range of soil types, and salt.
Hardiness: Zone 5-9
Original home: I am native to low, wetter woodland areas in the southeastern United States.
Colors: I typically have yellow-brown fall color. Sometimes more orangey-red.
When I bloom: Yellow-green catkins appear in spring. They are not showy.
Wildlife friends: I produce acorns, which many birds and mammals seek out before the winter. I am also the larval host plant for several species of moths and butterflies.
Flora Fun Facts: Many cities, especially in the southern US, planted me extensively in the 19th and 20th centuries. I am commonly spotted lining streets and green spaces in this region, and can live 100 years or more.
More Info: The Willow Oak is a significant component of southeast America’s urban forests. This tough tree tolerates pollution and other urban conditions, and is fairly fast growing - serving as a high performing shade tree.
A member of the Fagaceae (beech) family, in the Red Oak group.
Named for the willow-like shape of the leaves. “Phellos” is the Greek name for cork.
This tree is very tolerant of urban conditions, making it a popular choice for urban parks, plazas, streets, and parking areas.
Relative to other oaks, the Willow Oak is considered fast-growing. It typically takes 15 to 20 years for it to begin producing acorns.
A good tree selection for open green areas, along streets and parking lots, and around ponds or water gardens.
Used for timber, though not as prized for its wood as some other oaks.
This tree is toxic to horses.
The national champion Willow Oak is tied for a tree in Marvin County, North Carolina, and another in Union County. Both trees are about 90’ tall, with trunk diameters of nearly 9’.
