{"id":596,"date":"2026-10-09T14:46:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=596"},"modified":"2026-10-09T14:46:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:46:51","slug":"willow-oak","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/willow-oak\/","title":{"rendered":"Willow Oak"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Quercus phellos<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

The Willow Oak is a distinctive native hardwood that stands apart from most other oaks because of its narrow, willow-like leaves. Despite its unusual appearance, it is a true oak and a member of the red oak group. Known for its graceful form, rapid growth, and adaptability, Willow Oak is widely planted as a shade tree in parks, campuses, and urban landscapes throughout the eastern United States.<\/p>\n

Native to portions of the southeastern and eastern United States, Willow Oak combines the wildlife value typical of oaks with a refined appearance that makes it a popular ornamental tree. Its broad canopy and tolerance of urban conditions have contributed to its widespread use in landscapes.<\/p>\n

Identification<\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate leaf arrangement<\/li>\n
  • Long, narrow, willow-like leaves<\/li>\n
  • Smooth margins with a small bristle tip<\/li>\n
  • Dark green during the growing season<\/li>\n
  • Yellow to yellow-brown fall color<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gray to dark gray bark<\/li>\n
    • Smooth on young trees<\/li>\n
    • Develops shallow ridges and furrows with age<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Produces inconspicuous flowers in spring<\/li>\n
      • Male flowers occur as drooping catkins<\/li>\n
      • Female flowers appear singly or in small clusters<\/li>\n
      • Wind-pollinated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Small acorns that mature during the second growing season<\/li>\n
        • Acorn cups are shallow and saucer-like<\/li>\n
        • Produced regularly on mature trees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically grows 40 to 75 feet tall<\/li>\n
          • Can exceed 90 feet under favorable conditions<\/li>\n
          • Mature spread of 35 to 60 feet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native Range<\/h2>\n

            Willow Oak is native to the eastern and southeastern United States and occurs naturally in portions of West Virginia. It is most commonly found in bottomlands, stream terraces, floodplains, and other moist, fertile environments.<\/p>\n

            The species is well adapted to urban settings and is widely planted well beyond its natural range because of its durability and attractive appearance.<\/p>\n

            Ecology and Wildlife Value<\/h2>\n

            Like other native oaks, Willow Oak provides important habitat and food resources for wildlife.<\/p>\n

            Its acorns are consumed by:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • White-tailed deer<\/li>\n
            • Wild turkeys<\/li>\n
            • Wood ducks<\/li>\n
            • Squirrels<\/li>\n
            • Chipmunks<\/li>\n
            • Blue jays<\/li>\n
            • Numerous other birds and mammals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              The tree also supports a wide variety of native insects, including caterpillars that provide food for songbirds and other wildlife.<\/p>\n

              Its large canopy provides nesting opportunities, shelter, and shade throughout the year.<\/p>\n

              Human Uses and Cultural Significance<\/h2>\n

              Willow Oak is one of the most widely planted native oaks in the United States because of its:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Rapid growth<\/li>\n
              • Uniform canopy<\/li>\n
              • Adaptability to urban environments<\/li>\n
              • Attractive foliage<\/li>\n
              • Reliable shade<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The wood is similar to that of other red oaks and has been used for:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Lumber<\/li>\n
                • Flooring<\/li>\n
                • Furniture<\/li>\n
                • Veneer<\/li>\n
                • Interior millwork<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Today, Willow Oak is especially valued as a landscape tree and is frequently planted along streets, campuses, and public spaces.<\/p>\n

                  Willow Oak at Marshall University<\/h2>\n

                  Willow Oak contributes shade, wildlife habitat, and visual diversity to the Marshall University Arboretum. Its narrow leaves provide a striking contrast to the deeply lobed foliage of many other oak species found on campus.<\/p>\n

                  As a West Virginia native species, Willow Oak helps demonstrate the remarkable variety within the oak genus while providing visitors with an opportunity to observe one of the most distinctive native hardwoods in the arboretum collection.<\/p>\n

                  Quick Facts<\/h2>\n

                  Common Name:<\/strong> Willow Oak
                  \nScientific Name:<\/strong> Quercus phellos<\/em>
                  \nFamily:<\/strong> Fagaceae
                  \nNative Region:<\/strong> West Virginia Native
                  \nMature Height:<\/strong> 40-75 feet (occasionally 90+ feet)
                  \nMature Spread:<\/strong> 35-60 feet
                  \nGrowth Rate:<\/strong> Moderate to Fast
                  \nSun Requirements:<\/strong> Full Sun
                  \nSoil Preferences:<\/strong> Moist, fertile, well-drained soils; tolerant of periodic flooding
                  \nUSDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 5-9
                  \nBloom Period:<\/strong> April to May
                  \nFruit\/Seed:<\/strong> Small acorns that mature in two growing seasons
                  \nWildlife Value:<\/strong> Important food source for birds and mammals; supports numerous native insects
                  \nNotable Characteristics:<\/strong> Willow-like leaves, broad canopy, adaptability, and excellent shade<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Quercus phellos Overview The Willow Oak is a distinctive native hardwood that stands apart from most other oaks because of its narrow, willow-like leaves. Despite its unusual appearance, it is a true oak and a member of the red oak group. Known for its graceful form, rapid growth, and adaptability, Willow Oak is widely planted<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-596","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=596"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":597,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/596\/revisions\/597"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}