Swamp White Oak

[bwoods11]

I love the hybrids, I have hundreds of Bur Oaks, Red Oaks etc.... but honestly is there a much better choice than Swamp White Oak ?

They seem to grow fast, produce acorns after 5-8 years. Tough… Would like your opinions on SWO.

 

[Native Hunter]

I think it depends on a few things. On my land, Swamp Chestnut Oak has done better than Swamp White Oak both in terms of growth and acorn production. There are probably soils and locations where that would be reversed. Swamp Chestnut Oak drops in mid November for me, and the reliability is better than any other oak I grow - except for maybe Sawtooth.

Both SWO and SCO are great whitetail trees with low tannin acorns that deer really love.

 

[fingers]

I have 4 or 5 SWO planted as bareroots about 15 years ago. Trees look good and big enough to produce a few, but not one acorn yet on any of them. I keep thinking next year will be the year....

 

[Teeder]

Certainly one of my favorites, and probably the one I'd pick if I could have only 1 variety.

 

[bwoods11]

I have 4 or 5 SWO planted as bareroots about 15 years ago. Trees look good and big enough to produce a few, but not one acorn yet on any of them. I keep thinking next year will be the year....

Now that surprises me ? What state ?

 

[OakSeeds]

Aesthetically, they are - IMHO - the most attractive of all white oak species. With their silvery leaf underside they almost sparkle/shimmer when they flutter in a wind. I believe they are the best street tree available among the oak species including both pure SWO's and any hybrids with an affinity toward the dark, glossy and richly-deep green often found on the top side of their leaves. As a habitat tree (in my local) I admire the rapid growth of SWO hybrids, their ability to tolerate wet feet for extended periods of time, the heavy fruiting of relatively large acorns from carefully sourced trees that often drop acorns well into October, and their overall beauty. There are 200 SWO trees planted in the plaza (the only species planted) at the 911 memorial museum .. an impressive site to see.
An AI description pretty much says it all; google ... the positive attributes of swamp white oak trees

 

[OakSeeds]

I have 4 or 5 SWO planted as bareroots about 15 years ago. Trees look good and big enough to produce a few, but not one acorn yet on any of them. I keep thinking next year will be the year....

Fingers dilemma supports my belief that one should not plant a tree with expectations for fruiting (and hoping for heavy mast on a frequent basis) with out sourcing the tree. If you can get information (generate it through a 5-year observation) about the parentage of the tree (especially information about the growth and or fruiting history of the tree); fine, better yet ... discover your own "super trees." Develop an inventory (including the tree's 5-year history) regarding the best oak tree native to your area and identify credible sources for high quality trees not available. Nothing more discouraging than to spend 15+ years waiting for a "mast-payoff" that seemingly isn't going to happen. Hang in there fingers; don't cut them down and PM me your address and I'll send you 8-10 Regal Prince SWO,s that will serve you well in 8 years or less.

 

[BuckSutherland]

I LOVE the SWO. If I could only have one oak on my land it would be that one. Seems like a superior wildlife tree.


I stopped today to check a couple of the new trees I recently found. They are still holding a MASSIVE load of acorns. Just tonight before I found this thread I was thinking how I have to grab some fresh acorns from one of them cause I want to try and direct seed on my land next spring. Hoping to throw them in the freezer until then.


I grabbed a handful today and chewed on them. I probably have 100 acorns rolling around the center console of my truck like an idiot. Most of them seems dried out.


I love how the SWO hold their leaves throughout the winter. Just all around a winner for me. I was gonna be done planting them, but that appears unlikely.

 

[Teeder]

I think it depends on a few things. On my land, Swamp Chestnut Oak has done better than Swamp White Oak both in terms of growth and acorn production. There are probably soils and locations where that would be reversed. Swamp Chestnut Oak drops in mid November for me, and the reliability is better than any other oak I grow - except for maybe Sawtooth.

Both SWO and SCO are great whitetail trees with low tannin acorns that deer really love.

SCO isn't supposed to be growing here, but I have 2 trees that I planted 20+ years ago. Beautiful trees! 1 has produced the last 3 seasons, the other hasn't yet. I have a couple small ones started from the first batch of acorns it produced along with a couple "Beadles" oaks ( SCO x WO). The SCO's seem to like it here, but the Beadles aren't doing very well.

 

[Native Hunter]

SCO isn't supposed to be growing here, but I have 2 trees that I planted 20+ years ago. Beautiful trees! 1 has produced the last 3 seasons, the other hasn't yet. I have a couple small ones started from the first batch of acorns it produced along with a couple "Beadles" oaks ( SCO x WO). The SCO's seem to like it here, but the Beadles aren't doing very well.

I don't have an exact count on mine, but I would say about 25 that I planted. We don't have any natives on my land. Mine are prolific producers. The acorns seem a little smaller than the ones I see on the Internet, but the deer relish them anyway.

 

[bwoods11]

I ordered 25 more for 2026 . I think I’ll just keep planting some every year. On occasion I’ll see a taller one 6-9 feet at Runnings or a local nursery for $75 and I just can’t resist, I buy & plant it !

 

[Teeder]

I don't have an exact count on mine, but I would say about 25 that I planted. We don't have any natives on my land. Mine are prolific producers. The acorns seem a little smaller than the ones I see on the Internet, but the deer relish them anyway.

My SCO acorns are small also.