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Willow oaks can grow moderately fast (height growth up to 60 cm, 2 ft a year), and tend to be conic to oblong when young, rounding out and gaining girth at maturity (i.e. more than 50 years). Popular Trending

How long does it take for a willow oak to grow?
Which oak tree grows the fastest?
What is the lifespan of a willow oak tree?
Does willow oak have invasive roots?
How big is a 10 year old oak tree?
How can I make my oak tree grow faster?
Is willow oak desirable?
How far apart do you plant willow oak trees?
How deep do willow oak roots grow?
Do deer eat willow oak acorns?
How long does it take a willow oak to produce acorns?
What is the difference between a pin oak and a willow oak?
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Willow Oak vs Pin Oak | Which Oak is Best For Firewood?
# | Willow Oak | Pin Oak |
---|---|---|
Scientific Name: | Quercus phellos | Quercus palustris |
Tree Size: | 65–100 ft (20–30 m) tall | 50–75 ft (15–23 m) tall |
How tall do willow oak trees grow?
Willow oaks develop nicely symmetrical pyramid to round crown shapes. These attractive trees can grow up to 120 feet (37 m.) in height but are more commonly found at 60 to 70 feet (18-21 m.). The root zone is shallow, which makes it easy to transplant.
How long does it take for a willow tree to mature?
Willow oaks produce small acorns of ½ to 1 inch (1-3 cm.) in length. It takes 2 years for these to mature, which is a unique bit of willow oak tree information. These are very attractive to squirrels, chipmunks and other ground foragers. You can consider this one of willow oak trees pros, and also cons where ground litter is concerned.
Do willow trees need sun?
Willow oaks require full sun. In partial shade situations, the crown will develop into a weakly branched slender form as limbs reach for the sun. In full sun, the plant spreads out its limbs and makes a more balanced shape. For this reason, pruning young trees in low light is part of good willow oak care. Training early helps the tree form ...
Do willow trees soak up water?
Willow oaks are no relation to willows but they seem to soak up water in a similar fashion. Where do willow oak trees grow? They thrive in floodplains and near streams or marshes, but the trees are remarkably drought tolerant, too. One of the interesting facts about willow oak trees is their relation to red oaks. They are in the red oak group but do not have the characteristic lobed leaves of the red oaks. Instead, willow oaks have narrow willow-like leaves with a bristle-like hair at the end of the foliage that characterizes them as oaks.
Is a willow oak tree a shade tree?
Image by epantha. Willow oak trees are very popular shade and specimen trees. Because they are fast growing and fill out with an attractive, branching shape, they are a frequent choice in parks and along wide streets. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow a willow oak and willow oak tree care.
Do willow trees like sun?
Growing willow oak trees is easy and very rewarding. While they prefer moist, well-drained soil, they will thrive in almost any kind of soil and are wind, salt, and drought tolerant, making them popular in urban landscapes lining broad streets or filling in parking lot islands. They prefer full sun. They are, for the most part, resistant ...
How tall are oak trees?
The trees tend to reach a height of 60 to 75 feet (18-23 m.) with a spread of 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m.). The leaves, unlike other oak trees, are long, thin, and dark green, similar looking in appearance to willow trees.
What color are oak leaves?
The leaves, unlike other oak trees, are long, thin, and dark green, similar looking in appearance to willow trees. In the autumn, they turn yellow to bronze in color and eventually drop. The trees are monoecious and produce flowers (catkins) in the spring that can lead to some litter.
Can willow trees grow in salt?
Growing willow oak trees is easy and very rewarding. While they prefer moist, well-drained soil, they will thrive in almost any kind of soil and are wind, salt, and drought tolerant, making them popular in urban landscapes lining broad streets or filling in parking lot islands.
Do sage trees like full sun?
They prefer full sun. They are, for the most part, resistant to both pests and diseases. Though they are drought tolerant, they will also perform well in soil that is perpetually wet. They’ve been used for decades as urban, street lining trees and have proven themselves to be up to the task.
Is Willow Oak a good tree?
Additional information: Willow oak is an excellent large shade tree. Its fine texture contrasts with the coarseness of most other red oaks. It is one of the best oaks for avenue plantings or large residences. Willow oak is a fast-growing oak that transplants easily and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.
What is a willow oak?
Introduction: Willow oak is a member of the red oak group with willow-shaped leaves. The fine foliage of the willow oak is one of its best ornamental features. The willow oak has excellent texture, rounded form, attractive bark and beautiful winter features.
How big does an oak tree grow?
Tree size: Growing fast for an oak, it can reach a height of 40 to 60 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet or more. Flower and fruit: Female flowers are inconspicuous; male catkins are pendulous. The small, ½-inch acorn is topped by a shallow cap.
What color are the leaves on a willow tree?
Leaf: The long, narrow leaves of this willow-type oak are light green in spring, dark green in summer and yellow to russet-red in fall. The leaf is tipped by a bristle. Hardiness: Winter hardy to USDA Zone 5. Additional information: Willow oak is an excellent large shade tree.
Where does the name Willow Oak come from?
Willow oak's common name comes from the shape of the leaves and its specific epithet, phellos, is the ancient Greek name for the cork oak, Quercus suber. Co-national champion willow oaks are in Memphis, Tenn., (123 feet tall, 100-foot spread) and Noxubee County, Miss. (73 feet tall, 132-foot spread). Print fact sheet.
What is the name of the cork oak tree?
Willow oak's common name comes from the shape of the leaves and its specific epithet, phellos, is the ancient Greek name for the cork oak, Quercus suber.
What is a handsome oak tree?
A handsome oak with willow-like leaves. Foliage is light to bright green in summer and yellow, yellow-brown and russet in fall. Relatively fast-growing, it tolerates poorly drained soil. Prefers acid soil and full sun. Grows to 40'-60' with a 35' spread. (Zones 5-9)
What color are the leaves on a sage tree?
Provides great color, with leaves starting out bright green in the spring, shifting to a deeper summertime green, and then turning to fall shades of yellow bronze-orange, yellow-brown and russet-red.
What animals eat acorns?
Willow oak acorns are a top food preference for whitetail deer, squirrels, wild turkeys, quail and some songbirds. Wood ducks and mallards also eat the acorns when stands of these trees are flooded.

Appearance
Uses
- Willow oaks (Quercus phellos) are popular shade trees in parks and along streets. This tree grows fairly quickly and can become too large for some urban settings. The plant tolerates pollution and drought and has no serious insect or pest problems. The main items for good willow oak tree care are water at establishment and some support when young.
Features
- Willow oaks develop nicely symmetrical pyramid to round crown shapes. These attractive trees can grow up to 120 feet in height but are more commonly found at 60 to 70 feet. The root zone is shallow, which makes it easy to transplant. The delicate leaves create dappled shade and produce a golden yellow color show in fall before they drop. Leaves are 2 to 8 inches long, simple and ent…
Distribution and habitat
- Willow oaks are found from New York south to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. They occur in flood lands, alluvial plains, moist forest, stream banks and bottomlands. The plant thrives in moist acidic soils of almost any type.
Culture
- Willow oaks require full sun. In partial shade situations, the crown will develop into a weakly branched slender form as limbs reach for the sun. In full sun, the plant spreads out its limbs and makes a more balanced shape. For this reason, pruning young trees in low light is part of good willow oak care. Training early helps the tree form a strong structure.
Management
- As a shade specimen in large public spaces, willow oak really cant be beat for beauty and ease of management. But one of the facts about willow oak trees is their high water needs, especially when young. This can mean the tree will pirate moisture from other plants in the area. It is also a fast grower and can suck the local nutrients out of the soil as fast as they can be replaced. Non…
Ecology
- The dropped leaves in fall and acorns on the ground may be considered a nuisance. The animals attracted by the nuts are either cute to watch or annoying rodents. Additionally, the large size may not be appropriate for the home landscape and some of the trees peculiarities may be more than you are prepared to live with.