How to identify Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)

How to identify Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)

With a mature height and spread of approximately 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters), swamp white oak has a prominent broad to oval crown supported by a stout trunk. Its bark exhibits a textured pattern with thick, ridged, and furrowed gray to black bark that flakes with age. The oblong leaves are distinctive for their two-tone coloration; glossy green on top, contrasting with a tomentose silvery white underside. They have 6 to 10 pairs of rounded, shallow lobes and coarse dentate margins. Inconspicuous catkins and spikes bloom in spring, followed by light brown acorns, one-third capped, displayed on elongated stalks.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Swamp white oak

Distinctive two-tone oblong leaves with silvery white undersides.

Prominent broad to oval crown with textured, ridged, and furrowed bark.

Shiny light brown acorns, one-third capped with grayish scales.

Male flowers in yellow-green catkins and female flowers in green to red spikes.

Thick, stout trunk with mature bark displaying deep furrows and scaly texture.

Detailed Traits of Swamp white oak

Leaf Features

The leaves of swamp white oak are 3 to 7 inches (7.6 to 17.8 cm) long and 1.25 to 4 inches (3.2 to 10.2 cm) wide. They are deciduous, alternate, and oblong with 6 to 10 pairs of coarse, dentate teeth. The lightly lobed leaves can have lobes that cut down to the midrib. The upper side is medium to dark green and slightly glossy, while the underside is tomentose, white to silver. The petiole is yellow to greenish-yellow and measures 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1.3 to 1.9 cm) long.

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Flower Features

The flowers of swamp white oak are found in drooping, elongated clusters. Male flowers are yellow-green catkins, ranging from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in length. The female flowers present as green to red short spikes. They bloom in April and are wind-pollinated.

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Stem Features

The stem of swamp white oak is thick and stout, with a gray or brown color adorned with white lenticels that are scattered across the surface. The texture of the bark is somewhat ragged and often peels. The branches, which feature a smoother bark than the trunk, extend from the sturdy main stem. Twigs are also thick, approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter, and they terminate in short, blunt, light brown buds alongside thread-like stipules.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of swamp white oak is presented as shiny acorns, approximately 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1.3 to 1.9 cm) in length, often clustered in groups of 2-4 with elongated stalks. Upon reaching maturity, these acorns exhibit a light brown to brown hue. Their caps, enveloping roughly a third to a half of the acorn, are characterized by grayish scales and a fine, hair-like texture. These fruits notably undergo a biennial maturation process, periodically yielding abundant crops every 3 to 5 years, and become available during the months of September and October.

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Swamp white oak and Their Similar Plants

Northern red oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

Arguably the most popular hardwood in the US, lumber from northern red oak (Quercus rubra) is used for cabinets, flooring, veneers, trim, and more. When growing, the tree reaches a height of 15 to 23 m. The foliage on this tree is stunning, with dark green leaves in summer giving way to brilliant red in the fall.

English oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

The english oak (*Quercus robur*) is a deciduous tree native to Europe. It is a very long-lived tree; the oldest known specimens have been living for more than a thousand years. It is commonly represented in European mythologies as a symbol of strength, longevity, nobility, morale, and knowledge.

Pin oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

Quercus palustris, colloquially known as pin oak, is a deciduous tree native to North America. Due to its favorable growing qualities and beautiful bronze coloration in autumn, pin oak is one of the most common oak species used in landscaping.

Live oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

Quercus virginiana, commonly known as live oak, is a large evergreen tree native to coastal areas of southeast North America, known for its imposing, wide crown. Live oak is commonly cultivated as an ornamental in the American South, most often planted in avenues.

White oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

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Bur oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

A deciduous tree native to North America, the bur oak is large and reaches mature heights over 46 m tall. The acorns that come from this tree are the largest of all the oak trees. Bur oak is used most often for shade, in shelterbelts, or as an ornamental.

Water oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

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Willow oak vs. Swamp white oak: What's The Difference?

Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to North America. It is easily distinguished from other species of oaks by the shape of its leaves - Quercus phellos has lanceolate, oval leaves which resemble those of willow, hence the common name.

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Key Facts About Swamp white oak

Attributes of Swamp white oak

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

18 m to 29 m

Spread

15 m to 18 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Gold

Brown

Stem Color

Silver

Brown

Gray

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Swamp white oak

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Swamp white oak

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Beeches, walnuts, and allied trees

Family

Beech

Genus

Oaks

Species

Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)

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Distribution Map of Swamp white oak

Swamp white oak is native to central and eastern Canada and the eastern US, growing in bottomlands, moist woodlands, and stream edges. It is commonly grown as a shade or street tree.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Swamp white oak

A Comprehensive Guide to Swamp white oak How to Grow and Care for Swamp white oak