



Quercus phellos
The willow oak is a tall tree with long, slender leaves that look like willow leaves. It provides shade and homes for many animals, making it a great tree for parks and gardens!
Habitat: Forests
The willow oak has long, narrow, bright green leaves that look like a willow's, despite being an oak. Its bark is smooth and grey when young, becoming ridged with age, and it grows into a handsome, rounded crown.




Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
5
It's a champion shade tree, cooling down hot cities with its wide canopy.
Its strong wood is used to make floors, furniture, and even railway ties.
Some willow oaks can live for over 150 years, watching many generations pass!
This oak tree gets its name because its leaves look just like a willow's!
Willow oaks can grow rapidly, helping them quickly establish and outcompete smaller plants for sunlight.
Its narrow, willow-like leaves may help reduce water loss compared to broad-leaved oaks during dry periods.
Willow oaks produce many small acorns, providing a vital food source that helps many animals survive winter.

Sciurus carolinensis
Feeds on willow oak acorns, burying some for later.

Cyanocitta cristata
Disperses acorns by carrying them away and burying them.

Odocoileus virginianus
Browses young foliage and acorns when available.

Dryobates pubescens
Finds insects and nests in the bark and cavities.
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay away from the tree branches and be careful not to climb too high.
The easiest way to identify willow oak is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
2000-4000 cm
1000-2000 cm
0.5-1.5 cm
Spring
No
Mild
Perennial
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
May 26, 2026
Harriman Historic DistrictPhoto attribution
(c) Andrew Conboy, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.

New Jersey, US
You might spot Duck, Canada Goose, and Red-Winged Blackbird.
View guide →
Maryland, US
You might spot White-Throated Sparrow, Duck, and Spotted Lanternfly.
View guide →

Maryland, US
You might spot White-Throated Sparrow and Spotted Lanternfly.
View guide →
South Carolina, US
You might spot Gulf Fritillary, Admiral Butterfly, and Cypress Vine.
View guide →

District of Columbia, US
You might spot Duck, Common Eastern Bumble Bee, and American Robin.
View guide →

Virginia, US
You might spot Common Jewelweed, Willow Oak, and American Jumpseed.
View guide →