Oak, Swamp White, Bare Root

Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

Swamp White Oak is a long-lived, stately native oak well adapted to moist soils, floodplains, and riparian zones across the eastern U.S. It combines the ecological power of the white oak group with the ability to thrive in wet and periodically flooded sites, making it a go-to species for reforestation, streambank stabilization, and regenerative agriculture systems. With its deeply lobed, bicolored leaves, valuable acorns, and high wildlife value, Swamp White Oak is an essential choice for habitat restoration and food forest overstory plantings.

Key Characteristics

• High Wildlife Value and Acorn Production
  Produces sweet, low-tannin acorns in early fall that are consumed by deer, turkeys, wood ducks, jays, squirrels, and black bears. As part of the white oak group, its acorns germinate quickly and are a critical seasonal food for many animals.
• Host Plant for Hundreds of Lepidoptera
  Like other native oaks, Swamp White Oak supports over 500 species of moth and butterfly larvae, including Luna moth, Polyphemus moth, and Edwards' hairstreak. These insects form the base of the food web, feeding fledgling birds and other wildlife.
• Tolerant of Flooding and Wet Soils
  True to its name, this species excels in seasonally wet or poorly drained soils, making it ideal for stream edges, bottomlands, and rain gardens. It also adapts well to heavier clay soils and is a vital choice for riparian restoration and wetland buffers.
• Long-Lived, Structurally Strong Tree
  Swamp White Oak can live for 300+ years, developing a broad, rounded crown and thick, deeply furrowed bark with age. Its bicolor foliage (dark green above, silvery-white below) adds ornamental appeal, especially as it turns golden-bronze in fall.
• Excellent for Reforestation and Silvopasture
  Fast-growing when young and deeply rooted when mature, it’s a great option for silvopasture, where trees are planted with livestock integration in mind. It also thrives in restoration zones, agroforestry designs, and floodplain reforestation.

Product Details

• Native Range: Eastern and Central U.S., primarily in bottomlands
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous tree
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-wet
• Mature Height: 50–80 feet
• Bloom Time: April–May
• Bloom Color: Yellow-green (inconspicuous catkins)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8

Swamp White Oak is a keystone species for wetland restoration, wildlife support, and long-term canopy structure. Its adaptability and ecological strength make it a must-have for regenerative landscapes and native reforestation projects.