About
Quercus bicolor, the swamp white oak, is a large, deciduous, spreading tree to 20 m with a broad, rounded crown, short trunk and fissured, peeling, greyish-brown bark. Shallowly lobed, glossy, dark-green leaves to 16 cm long with felted, greyish-white undersides turn shades of orange, yellow and red in autumn. Long-stalked acorns are produced in autumn. A magnificent multi-season specimen tree for a large, moist, sunny garden.
About the genus
Quercus, the oaks, are a large genus of deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with entire, lobed or toothed leaves; inconspicuous flowers; and characteristic acorn fruits, sometimes with good autumn colour. Many are long-lived, wildlife-supporting specimen trees.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toNE N America
ToxicityPets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade; tolerates wet soils. See tree cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed, sowing as soon as ripe, in a coldframe or grafting in mid-atumn or early winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to oak processionary moth, aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and oak gall wasps
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and honey fungus