Description
The Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is a very versatile shade tree. It grows best in drained to slightly moist soils. But, it can also thrive with less water as it adapts it’s root system very well to it’s location. Swamp White Oak is a native medium-sized deciduous tree growing 50 to 60 feet tall and approximately 50 to 60 feet wide with a broad to oval crown and a short trunk. Young trees have a pyramidal habit. The leaves are two-toned in color. The upper half is glossy, medium green to dark green, and the undersides have a silvery white appearance. This tree is also known for its bark which is thick and divided by furrows and ridges. Flowering occurs in the spring in the form of catkins and short spikes. Brown acorns appear in the fall. The swamp white oak tree is durable and long-living, up to 300 years.
Swamp white oak trees grow best in full sun, neutral to acidic, moist, well-draining soil, and can withstand hot summers and subzero temperatures.
The City of Wichita has adopted a new Tree Canopy Policy which includes the Swap White Oak as a preferred tree. In the South Central Kansas area with varying soil conditions across the state of Kansas, the Swamp White Oak is a great choice as a beautiful large shade tree.
