01-27-2014 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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/ The Attractive Swamp White Oak Tree The Swamp White Oak Tree has as its binomial name, Quercus bicolor. The two names say a lot about the tree. Native to the mid-west, especially in the Ohio area, the Swamp White Oak tree is happiest when growing in moist soil. It is a tree that can stand to get its feet wet from time to time, though the soil it grows in needs to be relatively well drained. The "white" and "bicolor" designations refer to the leaves, which are green on the top side and white on the underside. The bark is not white but is a light gray color. The Swamp White Oak tree is a relatively fast growing tree, and is ideally suited for urban conditions. It will grow about 2 feet a year until it reaches full maturity, attaining a height of about 50 feet. Initially the Swamp White Oak tree has an oval-shaped and rather narrow spread, but branches out more as it approaches its maximum height. Its spread can eventually reach 50 feet. The tree displays pollen-bearing catkins in the spring. The pollen fertilizes the tiny flowers which appear at the same time, the oak being self- fertilizing. The Swamp White oak tree prefers an acid soil, but unlike some other members of the White oak family, can tolerate soils that are somewhat on the alkaline side. The tree will also thrive in compacted soil, making it valuable as an urban landscaping tree, and although it is a moisture lover, is surprisingly drought tolerant. This is a long-lived tree, one that commonly attains an age of 300 years or more. Although basically a sun lover, it can be planted in an area where it receives partial shade, at least while it is still a young tree. When grown in a somewhat isolated location, the Swamp White oak tree generally does not require pruning. In heavily trafFicked areas however, the lower branches will usually need to be pruned back to allow clearance for pedestrians or vehicles. The tree can be easily damaged when encountering mechanical objects, and if planted along streets needs to be put in a location where contact with an automobile or even a car door is not too apt to occur. Surface roots are usually not a problem with this tree, and the tree is not considered to be invasive, making it ideal for urban settings. Pests And Diseases - Like many hardwoods, the Swamp White Oak is susceptible to infestations of powdery mildew, especially in the late summer and early fall. This can give the upper surfaces of the leaves a grayish tinge, but is not in anyway harmful to the tree. The oak occasionally will exhibit leaf spot problems, but such diseases generally do the tree little harm. If leaf biister is present however, a dormant spray may need to be applied to prevent future outbreaks, which could eventually lead to severe defoliation. The bulletgali wasp is one of the pests affecting the tree, chewing on twigs and branches. As long as the infestation is not heavier than normai, no long term damage to the tree will result. Caterpillars can be a problem although only if the infestation is unusually heavy. The insect most apt to be a cause of significant or permanent damage is the Gypsy moth. By and large however, the Swamp White Oak Tree is a healthy tree, one that is easy to maintain and care for. The Root System - One of the more unusual features of this oak tree lies in its dual root system. The Swamp White oak tree has a set of upper layer roots which are put to use during moist conditions, such as in the spring, and a lower level root system the tree relies upon during the hot and dry summer. This helps to explain why a moisture loving tree can seemingly do as well as it does under drought-like conditions.