Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
It is a deciduous tree with a wide spreading domed canopy and lush green foliage, it is also resistant to pest and disease, has drought tolerance and looks great in the street.

Origin
A lowland tree from the north-central and northeastern regions of North America. Habitats and vegetation associations can vary however, generally found on hydromorphic soils. Annual rainfall can also vary from 640mm to 1270mm. Temperatures can also vary from -34 to 41 degrees celsius.
Habit
Medium sized deciduous tree. Wide spreading, broad domed canopy. Moderate to fast growth rate, mature size ranges between 20-25m high x 15-25m wide.
Description
Leaves simple, large, dark-green glossy above, paler, generally glaucous below, with 5-7 shallow lobes on each margin. Foliage turns yellow-brown, sometime reddish in autumn. Bark a grey and furrowed with age. Acorns 2-3 (similar to English Oak) on long stalk; not known as a litter drop problem.
Tolerances
Adapts to most soils; not alkaline (pH >5.9). High waterlogging (can withstand periods of inundation) and low oxygen tolerance. Tree can withstand periods of drought. Not seriously affected by pest or disease.
Root space
Based on mature size, the tree would require approximately 315 to 490m2 area or 190 to 295m3 root volume (crown projection method).
Availability
Uncommon.
Uses & management
Urban landscapes, parks and streets. Long-lived, moderate sized tree with ornamental characteristics and good tolerances suggest that this oak should be more widely used in urban landscapes. Easy to transplant. Low litter problem.

Swamp White Oak Bark detail
Ref:

Spencer, R., (1997), Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia, University of New South Wales Press LTD, Australia.
USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (2010) ‘Swamp Wite Oak’ Available at: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/bicolor.htm
Urban Forestry Department. The Ohio State University. Shade Trees and Biodiversity in the Urban Environment. (2010) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) Available at: http://shade-trees.tripod.com/families/selections/swamp_white_oak.html

Click to download Quercus bicolor Factsheet