Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Under Power Lines:
No—this tree is not approved for planting under power lines.
Street Tree Planting:
Yes—minimum planting strip width of 8 feet. If planting a street tree, you must be approved for a permit.
Description:
This medium sized tree has a lovely rounded crown and dark shiny green leaves, turning yellow to reddish purple in fall. Its peeling bark also give the tree winter interest. A very stately street tree!
Mature Height:
60 feet
Mature Spread:
45 feet
Leaves:
Dark, shiny green deciduous leaves with silvery white undersides. Foliage can turn yellow and sometimes even reddish purple in fall.
Flowers:
Catkins in early spring.
Fruit:
Acorns
Cultural Notes:
Grows best in full sun in medium to wet acidic soil. Once established, drought tolerant. This tree can withstand some standing water in the winter.
Potential Problems:
Typically a long-lived tree, but susceptible to a number of pests and diseases including anthracnose, canker, leaf spot, rust, blight, galls, borers, and leaf miners. Leaves show chlorosis (yellowing) if the soil isn't properly acidic.
Minimum Planting Distances:
- 15 feet from house or building
- 3 ½ feet back from the face of the curb
- 5 feet from underground utility lines
- 10 feet from power poles
- 7 ½ feet from driveways (10 feet recommended)
- 20 feet from street lights and other existing trees
- 30 feet from street intersections