Quercus bicolor
swamp white oak
A deciduous, spreading tree up to 20m tall with a broad, rounded crown, short trunk and fissured, peeling, greyish-brown bark. Shallowly-lobed, glossy dark green leaves up to 16cm long have felted, greyish-white undersides and turn shades of orange, yellow and red in autumn. Insignificant spring flowers may be followed in autumn by long-stalked acorns
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green Yellow Red | Brown | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Quercus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with entire, lobed or toothed leaves; flowers inconspicuous, followed by characteristic acorns; sometimes good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- NE N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade; tolerates wet soils. See tree cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sowing as soon as ripe, in a coldframe or grafting in mid-atumn or early winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to oak processionary moth, aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and oak gall wasps
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and honey fungus
Get involved
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