Quercus phellos L.

Willow Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Willow Oak is a native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It is native to most of Alabama. Willow Oak occurs on floodplains, along rivers and streams, and in poorly drained uplands. It is a large tree reaching heights of 100-120 feet. The bark is thin, gray, and irregularly furrowed. Leaves are alternate with very short petioles, linear to narrowly elliptic in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are widest near the middle with almost parallel sides and end in a bristle tip. The midrib is the only prominent vein. Leaves are dark green and shiny above and pale green below. Both sides of the leaf are glabrous, or leaves may be pubescent along the midrib below. Leaves turn yellowish-brown before falling. Male flowers are produced in drooping yellow-green catkins. The female flowers are solitary and sessile. The fruit is a nut that requires two years to mature. The cup of the acorn is very flat and shallow, covering ¼ of the acorn. Willow Oak is a popular shade and street tree available from many nurseries. It prefers a medium to wet clayey soil and full sun, and can tolerate some flooding especially when it is dormant. Willow Oak is fast growing and tolerant of pollution, making it a popular species for planting in urban settings. Some consider it to be over utilized.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW- (NWPL)

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