Swamp white oak

Scientific name: Quercus bicolor

Family: Fagaceae (Beech family)

The swamp white oak can be found throughout most of the state, though not abundant in southeastern Appalachian counties. As its name would suggest, swamp white oak can frequently be found growing in swamps, wetlands, and near bodies of water although it is very drought tolerant. It prefers rich, moist to wet, poorly drained acidic soils and full to partial sun. Its wood is indistinguishable from white oak when cut and could be used for the same purposes, including lumber, flooring, furniture, and timber. However, swamp white oak trees often have inferior quality to white oak.

Identification

LEAF: Obovate, alternate, 4-7 inches long with deep crenate margins. The undersides are white. By the end of late summer, the leaves commonly develop powdery mildew. In the fall the leaves turn a crimson color.

TWIGS AND BUDS: Terminal buds are clustered and very small. Branchlets are flaky and develop distinct flares of bark.

FRUIT OR SEED: Acorns develop in a single season and ripen in early to mid-autumn, usually in pairs on a long, thick stalk (1 to 3 inches), or stem. Acorns are oval with a small, scaly cup and ripen in early to mid-autumn.

BARK: When bark is mature it is ridged and furrowed giving off a light gray color.

SHAPE: Open, round-topped.

MATURE HEIGHT: 60-80 feet.

Photo credits: ©Arthur Haines (Native Plant Trust), Arieh Tal (https://botphoto.info), Copyright © 2024 Luba Batuner, Alexey Zinovjev © 2024.