Swamp White Oak

The Swamp White Oak a native American forest tree that is a wonderful choice for a large shade tree or lawn specimen. Plant it in woodland or natural gardens or use it as part of the background trees in your garden. Mature trees are 50 feet tall and wide, so allow plenty of room for it to grow when choosing a planting spot. Oak is always the perfect tree to plant to mark a special occasion, and this species is particularly attractive. Younger trees feature peeling bark with orange inner bark, maturing in time to a rugged gray-brown bark with deep fissures. The large leaves are deep green on top, and silvery-white underneath, making an interesting two-tone effect. In fall they turn rich shades of yellow and orange-brown, often with tones of red as well.

• Grand, long-lived specimen or shade tree
• Large leaves are dark green on top and silver underneath
• Striking fall colors of yellow and orange-brown
• Attractive orange peeling bark on younger trees
• More tolerant of damper soils than other oaks

Plant the Swamp White Oak in full sun, in most soils. It is more tolerant of wet soil than most other oaks, so it is ideal for planting by a stream or a lake, or in a low-lying area. It will even tolerate places that are flooded from time to time. Once established it will be fine in ordinary periods of drought. It grows on clay soils, and even in salt-contaminated soil, as well as on both acidic and moderately alkaline soil. It is hardy from zone 5 to 8. Pests and diseases rarely bother it, and it also grows near black walnut trees, where many other plants will not.