Bicolor Oak
Common Name:
Bicolor Oak
Scientific Name:
Quercus bicolor
Short Description:
An excellent choice for yards or woodland areas, the Swamp White Oak is a native species with attractive dark green leaves and silvery undersides that shimmer in the breeze. It thrives in wet soils but also tolerates drier, compacted sites. The bark becomes flaky with age, and the tree grows from a pyramidal shape to a broad, rounded form. Full sun.
Height: 60–70 ft
Width: 50–60 ft
Zone: 3
Common Name:
Bicolor Oak
Scientific Name:
Quercus bicolor
Short Description:
An excellent choice for yards or woodland areas, the Swamp White Oak is a native species with attractive dark green leaves and silvery undersides that shimmer in the breeze. It thrives in wet soils but also tolerates drier, compacted sites. The bark becomes flaky with age, and the tree grows from a pyramidal shape to a broad, rounded form. Full sun.
Height: 60–70 ft
Width: 50–60 ft
Zone: 3
Common Name:
Bicolor Oak
Scientific Name:
Quercus bicolor
Short Description:
An excellent choice for yards or woodland areas, the Swamp White Oak is a native species with attractive dark green leaves and silvery undersides that shimmer in the breeze. It thrives in wet soils but also tolerates drier, compacted sites. The bark becomes flaky with age, and the tree grows from a pyramidal shape to a broad, rounded form. Full sun.
Height: 60–70 ft
Width: 50–60 ft
Zone: 3
The Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is a versatile and hardy native tree, found throughout the northeastern United States. It prefers moist, rich soils and can even tolerate poorly drained sites, but it also performs well on drier, compacted soils, making it adaptable to a wide range of conditions. This oak is named for its distinctive “bicolor” leaves, which are dark green on top and silvery white underneath. When the wind stirs its foliage, the contrasting colors provide a unique shimmering effect.
As the tree matures, its bark begins to peel and flake, adding further visual interest. Initially growing in a pyramidal shape, the Swamp White Oak eventually develops into a broad, rounded canopy, providing ample shade. It is fast-growing once established, often adding a foot or more in height per year, and can live for 300 years or more. Mature trees can reach heights of 60–70 feet, with trunk diameters of 2–3 feet.
Swamp White Oak is valued for its acorns, which are a food source for wildlife including ducks, deer, turkeys, and squirrels. The acorns, typically found in pairs, measure ¾ to 1¼ inches long. This species is relatively pest-free, easy to transplant, and an excellent choice for those seeking a long-lived, resilient shade tree with ecological benefits.