How to identify Willow oak (Quercus phellos)

How to identify Willow oak (Quercus phellos)

Willow oak, also known as Peach oak

Willow oak exhibits a majestic presence with an oval to rounded canopy, reaching a height of 40 to 75 feet (12 to 23 meters) and a width of 25 to 50 feet (7.5 to 15 meters). The bark of mature specimens is gray to dark gray-brown and deeply furrowed. Unique identification features include smooth-edged, bristle-tipped, narrow green leaves, which are accompanied below by tufts of hairs in the leaf axils. During spring, willow oak bears yellow-green catkins, and it produces rounded acorns up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long, contributing to its distinction within its family.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Willow oak

Slender willow-like leaves with bristle-tipped apex

Yellow-green catkins in spring

Rounded acorns with scaly caps

Hairless greenish-brown stem with reddish-brown buds

Gray to dark gray-brown bark with shallow ridges and furrows

Detailed Traits of Willow oak

Leaf Features

The leaves of willow oak are slender and willow-like, measuring 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. They have a bristle tip at the apex and are simple, alternate, and smooth-edged with entire and wavy margins. The upper surface is shiny light green, while the lower side is paler with visible venation. In the fall, they exhibit a non-showy yellowish orange-brown to red-brown color.

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,

Linear ,

Elliptic

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Attenuate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

Willow oak features yellowish-green male flowers that form long, pendulous catkins, typically around 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length. These catkins droop gracefully from the branches and are distinctively slender. In contrast, the female flowers appear in short, compact spikes and are less conspicuous. The blooming period for willow oak is from March to April, marking the transition of seasons with subtle floral cues. The flowers do not emit any notable scent and play a crucial role in the plant's reproductive cycle.

Corolla Type

Apetalous

Inflorescence Type

Ament/Catkin

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Stem Features

The stem of willow oak is slender, hairless, and greenish-brown when young. It features a smooth texture and light gray to medium gray coloration on larger branches and twigs. The stem supports ovoid buds approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) long, which are sharply pointed and covered with reddish-brown imbricate scales.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of willow oak is a distinctive 1/2 inch (approximately 1.3 cm) long acorn, notable for its rounded shape. This acorn bears a unique scaly cap that resembles a bowl, marked with striations of brown and black bands, lending it a textured appearance. These acorns may appear either individually or in pairs, emerging prominently from September to November. Their size and striking cap design serve as key identifiers for this fruit.

Fruit Type

Nut

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Willow oak and Their Similar Plants

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

Quercus alba is a long-lived white oak with a broad canopy. The common name, white oak, refers to the color of its processed wood, which has a wide variety of uses - construction, for wine and whiskey barrels, making musical instruments and weapons in Japanese martial arts, etc. White oak is rarely cultivated as an ornamental due to its large size.

Bur oak vs. Willow 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. Willow oak: What's The Difference?

Water oak (Quercus nigra) is a medium-sized deciduous tree often found in low woodlands, floodplains, and near swamps and rivers in southeastern areas of North America, where it plays an important role in woodland ecosystems. It is rarely used in ornamental purposes due to its unfavorable growing qualities.

Black oak vs. Willow oak: What's The Difference?

Black oak (Quercus velutina) is a deciduous tree with a rounded, wide crown, found on hills, slopes, and ridges of eastern North America. The common name refers to the color of its bark. Black oak often hybridizes with other plants of the genus Quercus.

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Key Facts About Willow oak

Attributes of Willow oak

Spread

9 m to 15 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Fruit Color

Brown

Green

Copper

Black

Stem Color

Silver

Gray

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Willow oak

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Willow oak

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Beeches, walnuts, and allied trees

Family

Beech

Genus

Oaks

Species

Willow oak (Quercus phellos)

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Distribution Map of Willow oak

The willow oak tree is native to the eastern and central United States with a distribution range that includes eastern Texas where the tree grows in deciduous and mixed forests. It is also cultivated as a garden tree in the United States.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Willow oak How to Grow and Care for Willow oak