Woody > Quercus > Quercus phellos > Quercus phellos
Quercus phellos
Willow Oak
Origin: Southeastern United States of America.
Mike's
Opinion
"
An unusual oak with thin, lanceolate leaves very similar to Salix hence its common name. It does produce a fair amount of tough leaf litter and thus is not suited to all landscape applications. However, where room permits and litter is tolerated this fast growing plant can be a valuable addition to the landscape.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Fagaceae |
| Genus |
| Quercus |
| Species |
| phellos |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous), Tree (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6 - 9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 - H3 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-21) - (-1) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| (-5) - 30 |
| Height |
| 15-20 m |
| Spread |
| 10-15 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A large tree, generally used as a street tree or in parks for shade. With its pyramidal shape in its youth and rounded canopy in middle/old age this tree is ideally suited to large, open spaces. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern. |
| Cultivation |
| Full sun, drought and salt tolerant. Grows best in deep non-compacted silt or loamy granular soils. |
| Shape |
| A rounded to pyramidal crown. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| It is known for its lanceolate, pinnate leaves, rounded pyramidal shape, fast growth, and buds with many scales. |
| Pests |
| None serious but mites or scale are possible. |
| Habitat |
| Floodplains and adjacent slopes at an altitude of 0-400 m. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The bark is smooth on younger trees and smaller branches, but matures to become ridged and defined. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Covered with more scales then usual, clustered circular buds on the ends of branches. |
| Leaf Description |
| A simple, lanceolate leaf with pinnate venation, alternately arranged. The leaf is 8-16 cm long and 4-8 cm wide, and a dark green in colour. |
| Flower Description |
| Yellow, turning brown, pendulous, 2-6 cm in length. |
| Fruit Description |
| Oval or round shaped with a dry, hard covering, attracts birds, squirrels and other animals, produces a lot of litter. |
| Colour Description |
| Brown/grey bark, with a green leaf turning to yellow in autumn. The blooms are yellow turning to a brown upon maturity. |
| Texture Description |
| Fine leaf and bark texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. |
| Propagation |
| Stratify seed at 5°C in damp moist conditions for 60-90 days. |
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