Willow Oak

(Fagaceae)

Interesting Information About Plant:  

     This is a desirable landscaping plant especially for along streets or boulevards and golf courses.  At Bellarmine it can be found around or near most all the parking lots.  The willow oak naturally ranges from New Jersey to Florida and as far west as Texas.  It naturally prefers bottom lands, flood plains, and rich upland soils.  The willow oak received its name because its leaves look like those of willow trees but it produces acorns that are characteristic of the oak family.

Scientific Name: Quercus phellos L.

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Oak (Fagaceae)

Continent of Origin: North America                       

Plant Growth Habit: Tree

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat: Full Sun 

Manner of Culture: Landscape Tree  /  Native                   

Thorns on Younger Stem: No  

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark: Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Lines Go Up-Down  

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between the Length of a Credit Card and a Writing-Pen    

Leaf Complexity: Simple 

Edge of Leaf: Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate

Leaf has Petiole: Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Pinnate 

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Yellow   

Flowering Season: Spring 

Flowers: Tightly Clustered 

Type of Flower: Like a Grass Flower 

Color of Flower: Green  

Shape of Individual Flower: Other

Size of Individual Flower: Smaller than a Quarter  

Sexuality: Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Acorn-like

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: Yes   

Common Name(s): Willow Oak

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Members of the willow family

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: This plant has simple not complex leaves unlike most members of the oak family.

Poisonous: None of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): No

Page prepared by: 

Charles W. Shepherd                                  

 November 2004