Swamp White Oak — Quercus bicolor

Quercus is Latin meaning fine tree; bicolor refers to the two colors of the leaves — dark green above and pale or silvery white below. One of the most famous specimens of Swamp White Oak is the “Big Tree” in Geneseo, New York, under which western New York was purchased from the Seneca Indians for $100,000.

Although the common name implies that this species belongs in a swamp, it is one that adapts well to Denver’s heavy, poorly-aerated clay soils. It is because this native of lowland soils of the midwest and eastern United States can tolerate poorly-aerated, swampy soils that it can also tolerate our heavy soils.

The two- toned leaves are glossy green above and whitish beneath. The white tone is the result of a covering of fine hairs or pubescence. This characteristic is most evident on the younger leaves. The foliage is shallowly lobed, or perhaps better described as coarsely toothed. Acorns are on long stalks with a cup-shaped base covered with wart-like scales similar to those of white oak. In winter, this species is often confused with its close relative, white oak, because the mature bark is similar. The distinguishing winter features, when compared with white oak, are the more prominent, but blunt buds and less open, and more upright growth habit.

Please Note: Both trees at this Station were replaced in 1995. The Swamp White Oak was struck by lightning and later was severely damaged by heavy snowfall in 1995. The Lodgepole Pine died of unknown causes. Because of the ability to adapt to the heavier, poorly- drained soils and the strong branching habit, this tree deserves more planting.

Other Denver locations

Fine examples in Denver’s Civic Center at Broadway and 14th.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_White_Oak