Scientific Name
Quercus phellos
The willow oak is a U.S. native tree that can sometimes be mistaken for a willow because the leaves are so long and thin, with no lobing or toothing at all. The leaves range from 2 to 5 inches in length but are only about 1/5 or less as wide. They have a bristle tip in common with members of the red oak group. Of course, if its small acorns are present, the tree is quickly recognized as an oak. In urban areas, willow oaks usually grow to about 50 feet tall with a canopy spread almost as great. With such narrow foliage, the tree has a very attractive fine texture when in leaf.
Willow oak is native to the southern and eastern states, from east Texas in a northeastern arc through Georgia to as far north as southern New Jersey. It is typically found in low-lying areas such as floodplains but has proven very adaptable as an urban forest tree in much of its native range and is one of the most widely used oaks there. Interestingly, it has been found to be far more cold-hardy than its native habitat would suggest, with demonstrated survival below minus 20°F. Fast-growing, with a root system that allows for easy transplanting and respectable fall color, willow oak has strong potential in our region. Its only possible weakness may be the dislike of alkaline soil. There was a large willow oak on the campus of the University of Denver that would have been a Colorado champion, but it was removed for building expansion around 2008; currently there is no willow oak on the champion list. We believe the Regis tree will find a place there soon.