Description
Swamp White Oak is a Mid-west favorite. It grows fast, feeds animals, gives shade, grows on wet or dry soil and heats the home. An all around perfect tree.
Swamp White Oak is one of the favorite foods of most animals. In one study Swamp White acorns made up over 25% of the diet of wild ducks. I have never seen a duck eat acorns, do they have large molars to crush the acorns? Hmmm!
Porcupine Hollow is in what I call an “Oak shadow”. There are no native oaks within 10 miles of Central Lake, Michigan. This creates an advantage where we are safe growing Oaks away from the Oak wilt. Swamp Whites are somewhat resistant to the wilt. See the 2 photos taken at the cottage 100 miles south of the farm. Oak wilt hit this Swamp White a few years ago and it is starting to recover.
Scientific Name: Quercus bicolor
Zone: 3-9 Find Your Growing Zone
Mature Height: 50-70 ft
Mature Width: 50-70 ft
Fruit: 1″ long with a warty cap. The cap will often stay with the tree branch when the nut ripens and falls.
Flowers: Catkins are the male flowers. The tiny, spiked flowers are the female flowers.
Bloom Time: Early Spring
Growth Rate: Medium (12” – 24” per year), but with plenty of water and fertilizer can grow very quickly
Soil: Does best with acidic, moist, silty loams – but can grow in almost any soil
Drought Tolerance: Poor
Flood Tolerance: Moderate
Sun Requirements: Sun or part-shade
Fall Color: Creamy Yellow
Wildlife Value: Great food resource for mammals and many types of birds. Also provides great cover.
*** 6-7′ trees are pick up or local delivery only.
