Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) – #7 Container

Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

The Swamp White Oak is one of the most adaptable and underutilized native oaks in the landscape — a stately, long-lived tree that brings the timeless beauty of an oak to sites where other trees struggle. Its two-toned leaves, dark green above and silvery-white beneath, shimmer in the breeze and turn rich shades of yellow, orange, and burgundy in fall. With its rugged, peeling bark and graceful, spreading canopy, this is a tree that grows more beautiful with every passing decade.

Plant Details

• Scientific Name: Quercus bicolor
• Common Name: Swamp White Oak
• Mature Height: 50–60 ft with a broad, rounded canopy
• Available Size: 4–5 ft tall at time of purchase
• Container Size: #7 (7-gallon pot)
• Growth Rate: Moderate — typically 1–2 ft per year; faster with consistent moisture
• Hardiness Zones: 3–8

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade; best growth in full sun
• Soil: Highly adaptable; tolerates wet, poorly drained, clay, and compacted soils better than most oaks; also performs well in average garden soils
• Water: Moderate to high; one of the most moisture-tolerant oaks available
• Maintenance: Low — prune in late winter while dormant; a long-lived, self-sufficient tree once established

Landscape Uses

An exceptional shade and specimen tree for residential and commercial landscapes, especially in areas with wet or compacted soils where other oaks won't thrive. Its acorns are a critical food source for deer, wild turkey, wood ducks, and dozens of songbird species. Like all native oaks, it supports hundreds of species of native caterpillars — making it one of the most ecologically valuable trees you can plant. A true legacy tree for generations to come.

Plant arrives in a 7-gallon container at 4–5 ft in height, ready to transplant into your landscape.