The willow oak tree is a type of aboriginal cherry-red oak tree that gets its name from the long , willow - same leathery leaves growing on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The impressive average - sized deciduous willow tree oak is have it away for its fast ontogenesis , luxuriant foliage , barrel - form acorns , and golden yellow or copper - dark-brown drop leafage . Once institute in the landscape painting , willowoak trees are robust , drouth - tolerant and stalwart .
This clause is a complete template to identifying a willow oak tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the landscape . In addition to verbal description of this cherry-red oak mintage , you will also get hold pictures of willow tree oak tree leave , acorns , barque , and flowers . Finally , there is helpful advice on produce a willow oak tree diagram at the last of the article .
Willow Oak Tree Facts
willow tree oak trees ( Quercus phellos ) . Right film : willow tree oak tree in fall
The willow oak Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Quercus phellos ) is a North American aboriginal tree in the genusQuercusand familyFagaceae . The willow oak tree acquire between 65 and 100 ft . ( 20 – 30 m ) tall , and its dark brownish - gray body can be up to 5 foot . ( 1.5 m ) in diameter .
Like all trees , the willow oak has specific characteristics do it unequalled . However , the style to tell the willow oak asunder from other oak trees is by its leaves . Unlike the typicallobed leave of absence of common oak tree diagram , the willow oak has spear - mold leaves resembling those of a willow tree .
As it matures , the willow tree oak is key by its oval , labialise habit with upward spreading branches , a straightforward luggage compartment , and exquisitely - textured lanceolate leaves . A willow oak can live for more than 100 age .
Willow oak tree perform best in USDA zones 5 through 9 . The fearless willow tree oak tree trees opt full sun but also grow in partial shade . The racy , hardwood trees are exceedingly versatile . Willow oak trees expand in most soil types , including clay dirt , that are well - drained and consistently moist .
In ideal conditions , willow oak tree Tree have a medium to fast growth rate . originate in full sun and well - run out , damp land , the proud willow oak tree diagram will grow between 12 ” and 24 ” ( 30 – 60 centimetre ) per year .
willow tree oak trees have a fibrous root system that is relatively shallow . This feature of speech make the willow oaks relatively easy to transplant if necessary . This increment habit of the willow tree oak also means that it has instinctive protection against various solution diseases , like root rot .
The natural range of thewillow oak tree is from northerly Floridaand along the east sea-coast to Long Island and then west to Missouriand Texas . The regal oak with its spacious , unfold pennant and lush foliation make the willow tree oak an excellent shade tree in open landscape .
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Willow Oak Tree Leaves
Willow oak tree leave
Leaves on the willow oak tree tree are unusual without the characteristic lobbing of distinctive oak tree leaves . Instead , the willow tree oak leaves are prospicient and slim , lance - shaped , and taper at both ends . The blade have a smooth feel and a shiny dark-green color . In the free fall , they change by reversal russet or yellow before dropping .
Willow oak tree leaves in fall
Willow oak leaves grow 4 ” to 5 ” ( 10 – 12 centimetre ) long and up to 1 ” ( 2.5 atomic number 96 ) wide . The willow - like leaves grow alternately on outgrowth . Other feature include a bristle crown , smooth edge , and a sick underside with visible mineral vein .
Willow Oak Tree Bark
Bark of a mature willow oak tree tree
The bark of the willow tree oak tree diagram is smooth and reddish - browned on immature tree . As the oak tree diagram matures , scaly plate with shallow furrows develop and give the tree ’s gray bark a raspy texture . In addition , fledged willow tree oaks have deep furrow grooves and signs of cracking in the bark .
Willow oak tree twigs emerge olive - brown in color with several cerise - brown last buds . As the branchlet develop and large branches develop , they become light grey-haired to grey and retain their smooth texture . Stiff , leathery leaves emerge from small twigs .
willow tree oak twig
Willow Oak Tree Flowers (Catkins)
Willow oak male bloom ( catkins )
The willow oak tree is classified as monoecious , mean that male and female flowers bloom on the same tree . manlike willow tree oak flowers are pendulous yellow catkins ( flowering spike ) that grow 2 ” to 3 ” ( 5 – 7.5 cm ) long . willow tree oak distaff flower are small spikes grow in groups of two or three .
Although willow oak is a flowering tree , it ’s not known for spectacular blooms . The oak Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree blooms in mid - springtime . And the pollinated female flowers evolve into small-scale , portly acorn .
Willow Oak Tree Acorns (Fruit)
Willow oak acorns
The edibleacorns of the willow oakare low and dark brownness in colour . The small bbl - shaped chocolate-brown nuts measure 0.31 ” to 0.5 ” ( 8 – 12 mm ) long and across-the-board . The willow oak tree acorns are identified by their shallow , warty cup covering one - third of the testicle and wan vertical lines on the thick leathery eggshell .
Like mostspecies of crimson oak tree trees , the willow oak acorns take two years to mature . Although the small oval brown acorns are eatable , they have a somewhat caustic taste . However , they are a favored Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for wildlife .
Willow Oak Tree (Quercus phellos) Identification
A willow oak tree is identified by its leaves , bark , increase habit , and acorns . The stately willow tree oak has a rounded to pyramidal crown with smooth , leathery willow - like folio with taper ends that call on brownish - yellow in the pin . The medium - sized tree has grayish , fissured bark and little dark brown ellipse acorn .
Where to Plant Willow Oak Tree
The best location to plant willow oak tree is in full sunlight and moist , well - drained soil . Although the tree diagram can tolerate fond ghost , it performs best with six hours of daily sunlight . The location should also tolerate enough room for the full pyramidal canopy of 40 feet ( 12 m ) .
The willow tree oak thrives in most dirt types — acidic , loamy , sandy , pissed , corpse , and moist soils . Ideally , slenderly acidulous soil with a pH level of six or less is ideal . Because the red oak tree is tolerant of urban atmospheric condition , you could implant it as a shade tree diagram in residential parks , wayside , and blanket garden .
Because of the willow oak tree tree ’s propagate canopy and shallow , fibrous tooth root scheme , you should plant the tree diagram at least 25 ft . ( 7.6 m ) from building or construction .
How to Plant Willow Oak Tree
The best time to plant a willow tree oak tree is in the fall . you may plant willow oak tree acorns directly in the ground , where they will germinate by the following spring . Or , if you have a nursery tree , you’re able to plant the young tree diagram in the fall or spring .
To plant a willow oak , choose the cheery location in your garden and dig a hole twice as wide as the solution ball and just as deep . Then , move out the gunny from the root orchis and cautiously unknot and uncurl the roots . Finally , specify the tree diagram in the hollow so it ’s growing at the same height as before .
Next , backfill the muddle with aboriginal soil amended with compost . As you take the cakehole , press down as you go to eliminate air pocket . Once the hole is filled , soundly water the root area to saturate the dry land . finally , put a 2 ” to 3 ” ( 5 – 7.5 centimeter ) layer of constitutional mulch over the ascendent area .
After plant a willow oak tree tree diagram in the earth , it ’s full of life to weewee it on a regular basis to help oneself the antecedent establish themselves . You should give the newly - planted oak tree tree diagram about 1 ” ( 2.5 centimetre ) of water weekly for the first time of year . An naturalized willow tree oak is relatively tolerant of drought .
When planting a willow tree oak tree , one thing to call up is its high water and nutrient pauperization . So , regularly watering the tree will preclude it from drawing moisture from plant in the hem in orbit . Also , due to its loyal emergence , the willow oak tree promptly absorb food from the solid ground .
How to Grow a Willow Oak Tree From Acorn (Willow Oak Tree Propagation)
originate a willow tree oak from an acorn is easygoing and a sport project . The advanced acorns sprout quickly , and the tree ’s firm increment means you will before long have a small decorative tree diagram in your garden or container . To mature an oak from come , you either have to stratify the acorns or plant them right away in the ground .
The first step is to collect good acorn during September and October . To get the best nut , shake them loose from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . chocolate-brown advanced acorns easily dribble from the tree . Then take the caps , put the collected acorn in a bucketful of urine , soak for 24 hours , and discard those that float to the top .
It ’s respectable to stratify the acorns for 30 to 60 days before establish in the filth . Half - fill a sealable plastic travelling bag with moist peat moss . Place the acorn in the bag , seal the bag , and put it in the icebox for up to two months . Stratifying the acorn speed sprouting .
To propagate a willow oak from seeded player , fill a mickle that is 1 foot . ( 30 cm ) tall with a well - draining potting mix . Plant three acorn 1 ” ( 2.5 centimetre ) in the land on their sides and press down the dirt over them . Water the soil until the supernumerary drips from the drainage holes . Keep the soil moist while germination take place .
Once the acorns sprout , remove the weak seedling . you could move the sens out of doors in April and order it in a sunny localisation to continue produce . you may transpose it to the ground after the seedling is 6 ” ( 15 centimeter ) tall with a few unfurled folio .
Willow Oak Tree in the Landscape
The ornamental willow tree oak tree looks beautiful in an open landscape painting . It is an fantabulous shade tree in a large lawn or extensive garden . It will also grow well in dampish conditions where other oak tree sputter . However , its spreading canopy requires a deal of room .
Willow Oak Tree Care Guide
A willow oak is relatively leisurely to care for . The mass medium to bombastic deciduous tree adapts to most soil types and can withstand heat , drought , and urban surroundings . The tree requires little care when grow in full sun and well - drained soil .
How to Water Willow Oak Tree
Newly planted willow oak tree trees command water at least twice a hebdomad , or whenever the stain feels juiceless . This help the oak tree tree launch deep root and prevents it from assimilate extravagant wet from surrounding plants . you may use a drip irrigation system or hose to water your willow tree oak Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Mature willow oak only need watering during prolonged periods of drought or when rainfall drops below one column inch per week . You may require to irrigate the willow tree oak once a calendar week or once every two weeks in hot , dry summers . During wintertime , when the oak is hibernating , you could retain off watering altogether .
Willow Oak Tree Fertilization
Willow oak trees gain from a bi - one-year applications programme of abalanced fertilizer for trees . you’re able to hold a slow - release fertilizer with an NPK evaluation of 10 - 10 - 10 in late winter and midsummer . This will assist the tree develop abundant leafy foliage and advance its wellness to make it insubordinate to disease .
It is vital to fend off fertilizing a willow tree oak tree tree after August until the ending of winter . Fertilization during spill and winter can stimulate new growth , which will die off in freezing temperature . Also , it ’s all important to follow the producer ’s instructions regarding the amount of fertiliser to lend oneself for the size of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Otherwise , you may end up with scorched leave due to root burn mark .
How to Prune Willow Oak Tree
Willow oak trees require prune when unripened to remove erect - growing branches . The goal is to name the central drawing card and remove any compete stems . Compared to other oak trees , willow oaks take longer to bring around from ornamental pruning . Therefore , it ’s vital to do all geomorphologic pruning when the tree is comparatively unripe .
An accomplished willow oak only require pruning to cut off dead or diseased offset . Also , dispatch branches that are crisscrossing or rubbing against other limbs . It is also potential to slim out the tree diagram ’s crest . However , it ’s best to call the professionals to crop a mature willow oak tree diagram .
Pests Affecting Willow Oak Tree Growth
Willow oak trees are intrepid deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that are immune to pestilence . However , in some cases , aphids , scale insects , Caterpillar , or tiresome insects can feign willow oak ’s health .
willow tree oak foliation damage by cat : Varioustypes of caterpillarscan blast willow tree oak leaves . For exercise , tussock moth larvae , fall webworm , andtent caterpillarscan chew on parting and make stark leaf equipment casualty . Usually , gypsy moth caterpillars are particularly destructive on willow oaks . However , most oak tree cat damage is only cosmetic .
Aphid damage to willow oaks : Aphids are tiny foliation - destroying glitch that make perverted leaf growth . You may note honeydew — a steamy , amber - colored content — on the lower leaves . chance outhow to vote down aphid on outdoor plant .
scale of measurement insect damageon willow oak tree trees looks like lowly ruby-red - brown ball - comparable maturation that appear on twigs and branches near leaf shank . Oak treedamage by scale insectscan cause die - back and impact new folio growth .
wanderer mitescan also touch willow oak tree diagram foliage . If the plague becomes life-threatening , the signs of mite hurt on oak tree leafage are a dusty covering on leaves , and then the leave may start to wrench icteric . Learnhow to eradicate wanderer mites from works .
Diseases Affecting Willow Oak Tree Growth
Willow oak tree tree grow in ideal conditions are typically healthy Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that are resistive to fungal and bacterial diseases . However , some tree diagram disease affecting willow oaks include anthracnose , canker sore disease , oakleaf blister , powdery mould , and bacterial leafage scorch .
Willow oakleaf blisteris a fungal disease that causes orotund , chocolate-brown raise area on the upper leaf surface . The leathery oak leaves may have a bumpy coming into court of the same shape and size of it on crushed foliage surfaces . Although it ’s a job in fuddled season , it wo n’t harm the tree diagram .
Anthracnosecan be a serious trouble in wet , coolheaded atmospheric condition , causing idle plot of ground on infected leave-taking . In many cases , premature leaf drop is common . And in stressed trees , the disease can cause the tree to die eventually . However , the fungal transmission rarely make long-lasting damage to a willow oak tree .
Powdery mildewaffects willow oak trees due to issues with humidity , poor airwave circulation , and nerveless atmospheric condition . Symptoms of powdery mildewinclude a off-white powdery growth on leaves , which appears sprinkled with black pepper . This disease is vernacular in belated fall but is mostly cosmetic and does n’t harm the tree ’s wellness .
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