swamp white oak - Quercus bicolor

swamp white oak is rare in Ontario and endangered in other areas of Canada, where it is in decline due to loss of swampy habitat. Similar to white oak, swamp white oak produces sweet, edible nuts that are enjoyed by humans and wild animals alike.  Swamp white oak can live over 300 years, and the high-quality wood is used for furniture and construction. The specific name bicolor refers to the leaves, which are a rich, dark green above and hairy white below.

The swamp white oak can grow up to 22 m high, 90cm in diameter and reach 300 years old. They may develop a low, forked trunk that leads to drooping branches, giving the tree what some consider an untidy appearance, and others consider character. Photo by Chris Earley.

Swamp white oaks may also have tall, straight trunks with flat-ridged, peeling bark. It is light greyish-brown and scaly, taking on flat ridges with age. Photo by Chris Earley.

The leaves turn yellow-brown in autumn. Photo by Chris Earley.

Leaves of the swamp white oak are 12-17 cm long when mature and taper off to a wedge-shaped base. White hairs form a downy bottom to the leaves, and contribute to the strong contrast in colour between the upper and lower surfaces. Photo by Jesse Wolf.

Ontario Tree Atlas map of non-planted Swamp White Oak. 1995-1999.

Return to tree listing page [1]

References

Farrar, J.L.. 1995. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. Toronto. ON. 504 pp.  

Kershaw, L. 2001. Trees in Ontario: Including tall shrubs. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. AB. 240 pp

Muma, W. 2011. Ontario Trees and Shrubs. [Online] Available: www.ontariotrees.com

OMNR, 2011. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Ontario Tree Atlas. [Online] Available: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/ClimateChange/2ColumnSubPage/267027.html

OMNR, 2008. Ontario’s Biodiversity: Species at Risk.