This tree is often mistakenly called pin oak in reference to the long, slender leaves. Like Nuttall, willow oak can tolerate a duration of flooding, but not quite as long as Nuttall. The tradeoff being willow oak has a very small acorn that ducks can easily gobble up. Not just for ducks…willow oak works equally well on a wide range of planting sites, and provides a consistent crop of carb rich seed on a yearly basis. We think they produce large quantities of acorns much like cherry tomatoes or crabapples produce loads of fruit. Just a hunch, but it makes sense. The Willow oak grows best on elevated terraces in bottomland hardwoods
Type: Zone: |
Red Oak section 6 - 9 |
Soil pH: | 4.5 - 6.0 |
Mature Height: | 80' - 130' |
Wildlife Value: | Good browse for whitetail deer, Acorns eaten by waterfowl, wild turkey, deer, fox, squirrel, and wood peckers. |
Site Preference: | Naturally occurs on moist, alluvial soils along streams and rivers, but commonly found in transition between lowland and upland sites. |
Nut Maturity Date: | October to early November |
Alias: | Pin Oak, Peach Oak, Swamp Willow Oak, Black Oak |