Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
Large Deciduous Tree | Eastern North American Native | Keystone Species | Wet Site Champion
Highlights for Native Plant Enthusiasts:
Supports over 500 species of native Lepidoptera—a true insect and bird nursery
Produces abundant acorns favored by wood ducks, turkeys, deer, and small mammals
Exceptionally well-adapted to wet soils, floodplains, and riparian zones
Broad, lobed leaves turn rich gold to copper in fall, often hanging on into winter
Naturally found in bottomland forests, swamps, and wet meadows
Flood-tolerant yet drought-resilient once established—a strong performer in tough spots
Growing Information:
Height: 50–80 ft | Spread: 50–70 ft
Soil: Moist to wet, tolerates periodic flooding; prefers acidic to neutral loams
Light: Full sun
Zones: 4–8
Type: Long-lived deciduous canopy tree
Hybrid Alert: Known to hybridize with other white oaks—important for oak gene diversity
Why Native Growers Love It:
Quercus bicolor is the go-to oak for wet sites, offering the ecological power of a white oak in areas where others won’t thrive. It’s perfect for restoration in lowlands, stormwater basins, or rain gardens—and it still performs beautifully in drier soils with time.
Its leaves support caterpillars that fuel nesting birds, while its acorns nourish fall and winter wildlife. Whether you're building habitat, slowing runoff, or creating shade in a soggy yard, Swamp White Oak is a native workhorse with character.
Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
Large Deciduous Tree | Eastern North American Native | Keystone Species | Wet Site Champion
Highlights for Native Plant Enthusiasts:
Supports over 500 species of native Lepidoptera—a true insect and bird nursery
Produces abundant acorns favored by wood ducks, turkeys, deer, and small mammals
Exceptionally well-adapted to wet soils, floodplains, and riparian zones
Broad, lobed leaves turn rich gold to copper in fall, often hanging on into winter
Naturally found in bottomland forests, swamps, and wet meadows
Flood-tolerant yet drought-resilient once established—a strong performer in tough spots
Growing Information:
Height: 50–80 ft | Spread: 50–70 ft
Soil: Moist to wet, tolerates periodic flooding; prefers acidic to neutral loams
Light: Full sun
Zones: 4–8
Type: Long-lived deciduous canopy tree
Hybrid Alert: Known to hybridize with other white oaks—important for oak gene diversity
Why Native Growers Love It:
Quercus bicolor is the go-to oak for wet sites, offering the ecological power of a white oak in areas where others won’t thrive. It’s perfect for restoration in lowlands, stormwater basins, or rain gardens—and it still performs beautifully in drier soils with time.
Its leaves support caterpillars that fuel nesting birds, while its acorns nourish fall and winter wildlife. Whether you're building habitat, slowing runoff, or creating shade in a soggy yard, Swamp White Oak is a native workhorse with character.
