Willow Oak Tree

Our willow oak trees are Quercus phellos, the oak with narrow, willow-shaped leaves instead of lobed ones. It grows fast for an oak, casts open shade, and has long been planted along streets and in parks. Bare-root trees ship in 1-2 and 2-3 foot sizes, in packs of 25 up to 1000, for landscapers, municipalities and buyers planting for shade and wildlife.

Willow Oak Size, Zones and Sun

A mature willow oak reaches 40 to 75 feet, occasionally 100, with a spread of 25 to 50 feet. It grows in zones 5 to 9 and puts on growth quickly. Plant it in full sun to light shade. Acidic, medium to wet soil suits it best, though clay, loam and sand all work.

Willow Oak Leaves, Acorns and Fall Color

Leaves run 3 to 6 inches long and under an inch wide, with a bristle at the tip and smooth or slightly wavy edges. The acorns are small, about half an inch. Fall color is a muted yellowish orange to red-brown, quieter than a red oak.

Willow Oak and Wildlife

Woodpeckers, ducks, wild turkeys, squirrels, deer and black bears all eat the acorns, and the tree supports several butterfly and moth species. Our oak planning guide for trees and shrubs shows how oaks fit into a larger planting.

Good to Know About Willow Oak

We tell buyers that pH is the first thing to check with willow oak. Leaves that yellow while the veins stay green point to chlorosis, which shows up in alkaline soil, so run a soil test before you order a few hundred. The tree itself is hard to rattle. Wet ground, standing water, salt and city air all pass it by. Wind is the one weak spot, because limbs can snap on open sites, and horses should stay off fallen leaves and acorns. If your site is heavy clay, our list of trees for clay and poor drainage offers alternatives.

Willow Oak Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Willow oak trees ship bare-root in November, in 1-2 and 2-3 foot sizes and packs of 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Volume pricing available. Browse more trees in our wholesale collection.