Why plant Audubon® Native Willow Oak Treeling?
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 shade maker 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!
How to use Audubon® Native Willow Oak Treeling in the landscape?
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® Native Plants & Trees
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.
Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Audubon® Native Willow Oak Treeling
No green thumb required with this one. Willow Oak is a tough tree that tolerates less than ideal sites without complaint. It needs full sun and prefers acidic soil, but is otherwise undemanding and can be grown in clay, in wet or dry soils, and in sites that experience strong winds, salt spray, or air pollution. You don’t even have to bother with raking if you don’t want to! The leaves are too small and light to smother the lawn, and most of them will just blow away.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water slowly and thoroughly. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant Food granular form on an annual basis each fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established as it gives your tree the nutrients it needs to produce lush new growth for the following spring.
How To Prune
A young tree may need a little extra support to ensure that it lives a long and healthy life. Stake your new Treeling with a 6-8 foot tall wood or bamboo stake. Use expandable ties that will stretch as the tree grows, fastening the stake to the main trunk from the base to the top. Check the ties every few months, at least twice a year; ensuring the ties are not digging into the trunk. If there is any sign of this, take the tie off and reattach it, giving the tree more room to grow.
As your tree grows, remove a few of the lower branches each year if you do not want your tree to have lower limbs. Each year remove a few of the lower branches before they reach 1/2 inch in diameter. It is better to make small cuts to avoid cutting a large, more mature branch - this is too stressful for the tree. Each year, make any corrective pruning needed, paying particular attention to removing damaged branches, rubbing branches, multiple leaders at the top, or suckers at the base. Limit any pruning to no more than 25% of the branching structure in a given year. Pruning benefits the tree and helps to achieve a balanced tree form.
After two or three years you can feel free to remove the stake from the tree.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
