Oak, Willow

Quercus phellos grows to 65-100 ft tall (exceptionally to 130 ft, with a trunk up to 3-5 ft diameter (exceptionally 7 ft). It is distinguished from most other oaks by its leaves, which are shaped like willow leaves. It is most commonly found growing on lowland floodplains, often along streams, but rarely also in uplands with poor drainage, up to 400 m altitude (natively in the Eastern part of our range).

This medium to large southern oak with willow-like foliage is known for its rapid growth and long life. It is an important source of lumber and pulp, as well as an important species to wildlife because of heavy annual acorn production. It is also a favored shade tree, easily transplanted and used widely in urban areas.

The spear-shaped LEAVES are shaped like willow leaves, 2-5 in long and 0.5-1 in broad with an entire margin; they are bright green above, paler beneath, usually hairless but sometimes downy beneath. Foliage is light to bright green in summer and yellow, yellow-brown and russet in fall. The very much resembled those of any willow tree. The tree’s habit and ecology also is similar to that of the willow.

Willow oak readily sprouts from stumps of small trees. SPROUTS from advance reproduction are a principal method of natural regeneration.

The FRUIT is an ACORN 8-12 mm long, and almost as wide as long, with a shallow cup; it is one of the most prolific producers of acorns. The tree starts acorn production around 15 years of age, earlier than many oak species.

Willow oak is monoecious; with brown unobtrusive male and female FLOWERS are in separate catkins on the same tree. Staminate flowers are in slender yellow-green hairy catkins, pistillate flowers are tiny, in few flowered clusters at junction of leaf stems. Flowering occurs from February to May, about a week before the leaf buds open.

The WOOD has been utilized since pioneer days for interior paneling, newel posts, pulpits, pews, bar tops, wagon axles, stairs, railings, balustrades, bedsteads and flour barrels.

Since it produces an acorn crop almost every year, willow oak is an important species for WILDLIFE food production. In addition to being a major supplier of food for game animals such as ducks, squirrels, deer, and turkey, willow oak supplies many other animals. Blue jays and red-headed woodpeckers are major consumers, while grackles, flickers, mice, and flying squirrels utilize the tree itself .