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(Quercus phellos)
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)
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Katja Schulz
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Katja Schulz
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Katja Schulz | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Katja Schulz | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-09-26T16:17:43-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Quercus phellos, commonly known as Willow Oak, is a deciduous tree native to bottomland forests, wetlands, and along streams in the Southeastern, Eastern, and Central United States. It typically grows to 20–30 meters (65–100 feet) in height, with a trunk up to 1–1.5 meters (3.5–5 feet) in diameter. Willow Oak is notable for its willow-like leaves, which are bright green above and paler beneath, usually hairless but sometimes downy beneath. The tree produces acorns that are 8–12 millimeters long and nearly as wide, with a shallow cup, making it one of the most prolific acorn producers among oaks. Acorn production starts around 15 years of age, which is relatively early for oaks.
Willow Oak is valued for its rapid growth, reaching up to 60 cm (2 feet) in height annually, and its adaptability to different light conditions. It has a conic to oblong shape when young, rounding out at maturity. The tree’s full crown and light green leaf color make it a favorite for urban and residential landscaping. It is often used for street planting, shade trees, and as a stately lawn specimen. However, its size at maturity can be underestimated, leading to infrastructure damage such as cracked sidewalks. Willow Oak thrives in full sun, requires high amounts of water, and grows best in soils with medium to fast drainage. It is less tolerant of urban pollution compared to other oaks and can suffer from iron chlorosis in high pH soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Willow Oak is valued for its rapid growth, reaching up to 60 cm (2 feet) in height annually, and its adaptability to different light conditions. It has a conic to oblong shape when young, rounding out at maturity. The tree’s full crown and light green leaf color make it a favorite for urban and residential landscaping. It is often used for street planting, shade trees, and as a stately lawn specimen. However, its size at maturity can be underestimated, leading to infrastructure damage such as cracked sidewalks. Willow Oak thrives in full sun, requires high amounts of water, and grows best in soils with medium to fast drainage. It is less tolerant of urban pollution compared to other oaks and can suffer from iron chlorosis in high pH soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 40-75 feet
- Width: 25-50 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Bottomland forests, wetlands, and stream banks
Other Names
Common Names: Pilek
Scientific Names: , Quercus phellos, Quercus phellos f. intonsa, Quercus phellos var. sylvatica, Quercus phellos f. phellos, Quercus phellos var. viridis,
GBIF Accepted Name: Quercus phellos L.