Audubon® Native Willow Oak

Don’t let this tree’s delicate, willowy foliage fool you—Willow Oak is a mighty shade tree as strong and durable as any other Oak! Plant this moderately fast-growing tree where it will have plenty of elbow room, as it will become a massive specimen over the course of its long life. Whether planted as a front yard or backyard shademaker or lined along your street or driveway, Willow Oak will become a noble feature of your landscape. Its symmetrical, rounded branching habit creates a neat and ordered silhouette that lends a formal air to large suburban lots, estates, and country homes.

Native to the Southeastern U.S. from Eastern Texas to Florida and ranging as far north as New Jersey, Willow Oak has long played a part in Americans’ lives. Writing in the 1950s, noted nature writer Donald Peattie remarked that the wood was often labeled “Red Oak” and was used for, among other things, “pulpits, church pews, bar tops, wagon axles, stairs, railings, balustrades, bedsteads, and flour barrels.” Today the tree is also widely planted for purely ornamental reasons. Local wildlife has ties to Willow Oak, too. In the not-too-distant future, you may see squirrels scampering to collect the abundant acorns your tree will produce. Blue jays will come to dine, and maybe even redheaded woodpeckers as well!

Willow Oak’s fine-textured, almost feathery foliage is this tree’s most striking feature. A soothing mid-green during the growing season, the canopy takes on deep golden tones in autumn, while some trees turn russet-red.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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