Willow Oak

Introduction

An American classic

• Long lived and strong tree
• Grows to amazing heights
• Great provider of shade and food for the ecosystem
• Often planted alongside roads, parks, and in the yards of rural homes

Never Bareroot… All plants come rooted into a container with soil.

Description

The Willow Oak Tree is an American classic. A tree that is long lived and grows to amazing heights, the Willow Oak is a great provider of shade and food for the ecosystem. Willow Oaks are often planted alongside roads, parks, and in the yards of rural and suburban homes.

Similar to a Red Oak in almost every way except the foliage, the Willow Oak’s leaves are long and thin with no lobes, just like a willow tree. Spring and summer provide dense, green foliage, while the fall gives way to a golden orange display that you won’t want to miss! This Oak tree offers a truly colorful front yard or street view for your home.

The Willow Oak Tree prefers full sun and plenty of room to stretch its limbs. Growing to an astounding 60 feet high and 40 feet wide this tree will provide lots of shade during the summer months. The fast growing Willow Oak is adaptable to many conditions and soil types. This hardy and tolerant tree is low maintenance and easy to grow.

If you are looking for a fast growing tree that will grow to outstanding heights and remain faithful all year round, the Willow Oak is the tree for you. With striking color and superb shade, the Willow Oak is a great addition to your landscape.

How To Care

Willow Oak Trees are easy to grow and extremely adaptable. Spring and Fall are ideal times to plant. However, if you avoid freezing and hot temperatures you can plant your Oak tree almost any time of the year.

Willow Oaks thrive in full to part sun and are adaptable to any soil, even tolerating wet areas. These trees are even drought tolerant once established. Water deeply twice weekly for the first 3 months after planting. This helps the roots establish properly. Add a layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch when planting to help keep the soil moist.

Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as this increases the chances of pests and disease. Fertilize in early spring with a basic slow release fertilizer. Willow Oaks don’t generally require pruning, but, if needed, prune when they are dormant in winter or early spring to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches, or to maintain shape. The Willow Oak is pest and disease resistant, as well as pollution and salt tolerant.

Willow Oaks only rarely have issues with pests or disease. Occasionally, Scale and Mites can infest these Oaks. You can treat these pests naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections you can use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. In extremely humid areas, fungal issues can arise.

Generally, treating after infection isn’t extremely effective, so if you have problems yearly treat in early spring with fungicides to prevent infection. Neem Oil is an organic method of treating some fungal diseases and pests. It can be effective, but the entire tree must be coated in order for this method to be effective. For additional tips, be sure to read our article on Shade tree care.

Landscape Ideas

The Willow Oak provides excellent shade with its dense and broad canopy. Be sure to provide your oak tree with plenty of room to grow. Reaching heights up to 60 feet and a width of about 40 feet, a full grown Willow Oak is a substantial tree. This shade tree is ideal to be the main, focal tree in your yard.

If you have a large yard or piece of land, oaks are great for planting in a row to provide shade in the summer. And they look beautiful too! The Willow Oak offers rich, orange color in fall that will liven up your landscape. Plant about 18 feet apart when planting in rows.

For additional options, be sure to browse our Weeping Willow, Corkscrew Willow and Oak Tree collection.