Quercus bicolor – Swamp White Oak

Despite it’s name, this oak can be grown on upland sites – in fact, it’s increasingly being used as an urban street tree. Of course, as the name suggests, this tree thrives on heavy clay soils with poor drainage, and is a much sturdier and longer-lived alternative to weeping willow. On young limbs, the bark peels, much like that of Sycamore or River Birch, and is quite ornamental. On older trees the lower bark becomes deeply furrowed like that of Bur Oak. Fall color is a gold or orange hue, fading to warm brown. The acorns are quite sweet and very valuable for wildlife.