Why plant Audubon® Native Swamp White Oak Treeling?
Safe in the arms of a rugged Swamp White Oak Tree, birds of all kinds find shelter and sustenance. Its large leaves serve as good cover while songbirds forage for the insects that make up an important part of their diet. Bluebirds, sparrows, wrens, vireos, and warblers are some of the visitors you may see feeding in this noble native. Swamp White Oak’s acorns, which dangle from long stems, are more palatable than those of other Oak Trees, and they attract jays and woodpeckers. In wetland areas, ducks relish the acorns, too. Handsome, hardy, and wonderful for wildlife.
This tree is found in forests and swampy areas all over the Eastern U.S. Its wood is heavy and hard, lending itself to use in flooring, furniture, cabinets, ships, barrels, and kegs. More recently, this tree has found another purpose. At the 9/11 Memorial Plaza in New York, 412 Swamp White Oaks have been planted, chosen for their durability and subdued yellow fall color (Sweetgum was considered, but deemed too festive). In time, the canopies will weave together, forming a cooling, calming green ceiling overhead, sheltering the visitors below.
How to use Audubon® Native Swamp White Oak Treeling in the landscape?
A relatively large tree displaying large dark green leaves with gray-green undersides in summer, transforming into golden hues in fall. Swamp White Oak does tend to perform well in wetter/swamp-like locations (hence the name) but also does well in other soil types. Drought tolerant. An excellent choice for shade trees, lawn trees, specimen, or large park-like settings.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Audubon® Native Swamp White Oak Treeling
Oak Trees enjoy full sun planting locations. Swamp White Oaks are no different and can grow well in all soil types and where other Oaks may be limited by requiring more acidic soils, Swamp White is much more adaptable. Oaks may have an irregular growth habit while young, but in time will straighten out. Bower & Branch Swamp Whites are grown to have proper branching structure in place, your only need will be to remove lower limbs as desired for branching height. Generally we remove all limbs below 4/5' but you may choose to remove limbs to 6 or 7' as your tree grows to allow for mowing or picnicking. Follow Bower & Branch fertilizing best practiced to insure health and vigor. Swamp White is virtually pest free when given the care and feeding it needs to grow healthy and strong.
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 late fall. If planting in the fall, use Elements fertilizer while planting and start your regular annual fertilizing the following 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. Remove these 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.