Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 50–60 ft tall and 50–60 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Develops iron chlorosis in our alkaline soils, leaves yellow with green veins, then decline.
medium water50–60 ft tall and 50–60 ft wide
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Quercus bicolor
- Variety / cultivar
- Swamp White
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 50–60 ft tall and 50–60 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~60 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Fall color
- Bronze, red
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Pollinator value
- low
- Tolerates
- Rain gardens
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Swamp White Oak good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Swamp White Oak is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Swamp White Oak get?
- It matures to about 50–60 ft tall and 50–60 ft wide.
- How much room does Swamp White Oak need?
- Give Swamp White Oak about 60 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Swamp White Oak grow into?
- Swamp White Oak typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Swamp White Oak hardy on the Front Range?
- Swamp White Oak is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Swamp White Oak need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Swamp White Oak grow?
- Swamp White Oak is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Swamp White Oak live?
- Swamp White Oak is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Swamp White Oak turn in fall?
- Swamp White Oak turns bronze and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Swamp White Oak native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Swamp White Oak deer-resistant?
- No. Swamp White Oak is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Swamp White Oak a good firewise plant near the house?
- Swamp White Oak is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Swamp White Oak prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Swamp White Oak has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
