willow oak

Plant Type

Large Tree (greater than 25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

40-75 ft. tall
25-50 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil

Propagation

By seed

Plant Propagation Notes

Acorns require cold moist stratification for 30-60 days

Plant Planting Notes

Willow oaks have fibrous roots and can be transplanted when small. provide adequate space for a canopy spread that could be 50 ft.

Plants/Diseases

Willow oaks seems to be resistant to the ailments that typically affect oak trees, but may be affected by oak skeletonizer, leaf miner, galls, borers, weevils, anthracnose wilt, cankers, leaf spots, and powdery mildew. Chlorosis may occur in alkaline soils.

Wildlife Benefits

Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds, Supports numerous caterpillars (bird food)

Leaves

Leaves alternate, lanceolate or linear with entire or undulate margins.

Flowers

Tiny green to yellow flowers on catkins (male) and short spikes (female).

Fruit

Nut.

Bark

Young bark is smooth and reddish brown, maturing to dark gray with deep furrows and ridges.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

Edibility

Acorns are edible.

USDA Hardiness Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Wet depressions in upland forests, bottomland forests, natural levees. May become weedy in disturbed areas.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common in the South Carolina coastal plain and sandhills. Uncommon in the piedmont. Absent from the mountains.