Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Description:
This medium sized tree has a lovely rounded crown and dark shiny green leaves, turning yellow to reddish purple in fall. Its peeling bark also give the tree winter interest. A very stately street tree!

Under Power Lines: No

Street Tree Planting: 8 feet

Mature Height: 60 feet

Mature Spread: 45 feet

Tree Shape: Rounded

Leaves:
Dark, shiny green deciduous leaves with silvery white undersides. Foliage can turn yellow and sometimes even reddish purple in fall.

Flowers:
Catkins in early spring.

Fruit:
Acorns

Preferred Site Conditions:
Grows best in full sun in medium to wet acidic soil. Once established, drought tolerant. This tree can withstand some standing water in the winter.

Potential Problems:
Typically a long-lived tree, but susceptible to a number of pests and diseases including anthracnose, canker, leaf spot, rust, blight, galls, borers, and leaf miners. Leaves show chlorosis (yellowing) if the soil isn't properly acidic.

Minimum Planting Distances:

  • 15 feet from house or building
  • 3 ½ feet back from the face of the curb
  • 5 feet from underground utility lines
  • 10 feet from power poles
  • 7 ½ feet from driveways (10 feet recommended)
  • 20 feet from street lights and other existing trees
  • 30 feet from street intersections

Additional Resources