August Tree of the Month-Willow oak

There is an oak for just about every location. The diverse genus, Quercus, has a range of species that prefer high and dry, or low and wet. One that will tolerate a more wet area is our native Willow oak, Quercus phellos.

Oaks are divided into two groups, red or white. Red oaks all have bristles at the leaf-tip, whites do not. Willow oak is a member of the Red Oak Group. Even though the leaf looks very much like a willow, if you look closely, you’ll see one tiny bristle at the tip of each leaf.

Willow oaks have a beautiful texture in the landscape unlike other oaks with thick, lobed leaves. They typically reach 40-75’ high with a rounded, or oval-shaped crown and are relatively fast growers, making them perfect shade trees. The common name refers to willow, Salix, and like real willows, the willow oaks prefer full sun to part-shade and tolerate moist, low-laying clay soils-this makes them a great candidate for rain gardens.

What I love about this plant

-It’s a Missouri native.

-It tolerates wet areas and poor soils.

-Good resistance to pests and disease.

-Great long-lived, shade tree with a beautiful texture.

-Good provider for wildlife food production with acorn crops every year. (once mature)

-It’s not an overused pin oak.

What’s not so great

-Even though they take 20+ years to mature enough to produce acorns, the fallen fruits, although tiny, can be messy.

-Can be susceptible to borers and acid rain.

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

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