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Quercus phellos

Quercus phellos

Willow oak

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Description

Quercus phellos (Willow oak) is native to the eastern and central United States, where it mainly grows along river banks, in soil that regularly undergoes brief floods in the winter. In its growth season, it sometimes goes through brief wet periods there. Quercus phellos often occurs in the areas between wet and dry land and grows along with other species including Acer rubrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Gleditsia triacanthos. The willow oak can reach heights of up to 30 metres. In cultivation, its height is usually limited to 15 to 20 metres, with a maximum width of 12 metres. In its early years, Quercus phellos has quite a fast-growing pyramid-shaped crown, that becomes wide and egg-shaped when the tree is older. 

Quercus phellos combines the elegant appearance of the willow with the impressive character of the oak tree. The tree has the oak’s crown and slender, high stem, but not the lobate leaves that are so characteristic of the oak. Instead, the willow oak - like the willow - has tiny, striking lanceolate leaves. The glossy, undulating leaves bud bronze, then turn green, and then turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn. In warmer areas, the species is evergreen, and in colder areas it sheds its leaves. In May, the willow oak blooms golden yellow hanging catkins. After it blooms, brown and yellow-green acorns appear on the tree, which are eaten by birds and small mammals. 

Quercus phellos can handle all kinds of urban conditions, making it a great tree for the future. The species can withstand wind, will tolerate moderate coastal winds and will also tolerate heat, drought and brief flooding quite well. That makes the tree perfect for planting in wadi and coastal areas. But the willow oak also does well in (large) gardens and in cemeteries. Quercus phellos has no ailments or diseases, but does have to be planted in acidic soil. The tree will not grow well in lime-rich soil.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees shade trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval roof-trained fval multi-stem umbrella fval espalier fval pleached

Use

Location

street avenue square park central reservation roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside bioswale coastal area

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

climate planting landscape planting solid planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

15 - 20 m

Width

9 - 12 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind slightly tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat tolerant to short-term flooding

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Quercus phellos? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Quercus phellos standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus phellos standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus phellos standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus phellos standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus phellos standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus phellos standard tree
feathered feathered
Quercus phellos feathered
feathered feathered
Quercus phellos feathered
feathered feathered
Quercus phellos feathered
feathered feathered
Quercus phellos feathered
leaves leaves
Quercus phellos leaves
leaves leaves
Quercus phellos leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Quercus phellos autumn leaves
bark bark
Quercus phellos bark

Seasonal colours

Quercus phellos seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

catkins pendulous

Flower colour

golden yellow

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze dark green

Leaves

semi-evergreen lanceolate narrow polished undulate

Autumn colour

golden yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

yellow-green brown

Fruits

small acorn

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

slightly furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

brown-green

Twigs

with lenticels

Root system

Root system

extensive slightly branched

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

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