# swamp white oak (*Quercus bicolor*) The swamp white oak is a strong tree that loves wet places! It has big, green leaves and produces acorns that squirrels and birds enjoy. This tree is great for parks and forests. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![swamp white oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quercus_bicolor_morton_acc_71-69-2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_bicolor_morton_acc_71-69-2.jpg) ## Appearance The swamp white oak is a majestic tree with a distinctive two-toned leaf: dark green above and silvery-white underneath. Its bark starts smooth, becoming deeply furrowed and ridged with age, often flaky on upper branches. Mature trees develop a broad, rounded crown. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Its acorns are a valuable food for many animals, even humans after preparation! - Its unique leaves are dark green on top and surprisingly silvery-white underneath! - The swamp white oak can survive being partially submerged in water for weeks! - This oak is a true survivor, thriving in soggy soils where many other trees can't! ## Special abilities - **Water-Resistant Roots:** swamp white oak has specialized roots that can tolerate prolonged flooding, helping it thrive in wetland environments. - **Two-Tone Twinkle:** Its leaves are dark green on top and silvery-white underneath, which reflects light and creates a shimmering effect in the wind. - **Nutrient-Rich Nuts:** This oak produces large acorns that provide a crucial food source, helping numerous animals survive the fall and winter months. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1500-2500 cm - **Spread:** 1000-2000 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Relies heavily on its abundant acorns. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on its leaves and young twigs. - **Shelter:** [White-breasted Nuthatch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-breasted-nuthatch) (*Sitta carolinensis*) — Forages on bark and nests in tree cavities. - **Eats:** [Promethea Silkmoth](https://www.snappit.app/explore/promethea-silkmoth) (*Callosamia promethea*) — Its caterpillars feed on the leaves. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay on paths when exploring near trees, and don't climb without an adult's help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify swamp white oak? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is swamp white oak? 1500-2500 cm ### How wide does swamp white oak spread? 1000-2000 cm ### When does swamp white oak bloom? Spring ### Is swamp white oak edible? Yes ### Is swamp white oak toxic? Mild ### What is swamp white oak's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is swamp white oak pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-valley-arboretum-and-botanic-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Cleveland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Great Falls Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-falls-park) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-knoll-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Foxhall](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/foxhall) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Grant Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grant-road-historic-district) — District of Columbia, US · Historic District [View all places to see swamp white oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/swamp-white-oak) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Swamp White Oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/swamp-white-oak)