Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Also listed as Quercus filiformis, Quercus mollis
Also known as Bicolor Oak
Climate Match for your location
See how well Swamp White Oak grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A large deciduous oak native to eastern North America, prized for its showy white-undersided leaves and attractive fall color. Tolerant of wet conditions and valuable for wildlife.
Why grow it
Swamp white oak tolerates both wet and periodically flooded soils better than most upland oak species, making it useful where drainage is poor or seasonal inundation occurs. The distinctive white leaf undersides and reliable burgundy fall color provide landscape interest across seasons. It supports diverse wildlife and produces acorns readily in suitable conditions, offering value in ecological restoration and permaculture systems.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, particularly in drier climates where the species reaches its range limits. Growth rate is moderate, so expect several years before the tree reaches substantial size. Like most oaks, swamp white oak is susceptible to oak wilt in regions where the disease is established, and pruning should be avoided during high-risk periods.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A large deciduous oak native to eastern North America, prized for its showy white-undersided leaves and attractive fall color. Tolerant of wet conditions and valuable for wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Swamp White Oak grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Swamp white oak tolerates both wet and periodically flooded soils better than most upland oak species, making it useful where drainage is poor or seasonal inundation occurs. The distinctive white leaf undersides and reliable burgundy fall color provide landscape interest across seasons. It supports diverse wildlife and produces acorns readily in suitable conditions, offering value in ecological restoration and permaculture systems.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, particularly in drier climates where the species reaches its range limits. Growth rate is moderate, so expect several years before the tree reaches substantial size. Like most oaks, swamp white oak is susceptible to oak wilt in regions where the disease is established, and pruning should be avoided during high-risk periods.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.