Why Plant 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 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 Willow Oak 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.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Willow Oak
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. With the Bower & Branch™ Water Element in place and nutrition managed with our Soil Enhancer and Fertilizer Element, you can expect relatively fast growth from this tree with a minimum of maintenance. 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
Willow Oak will appreciate watering deeply, and regularly during its first few years in the ground. Irrigate weekly, and especially during long dry spells or extreme heat after it’s established.
How To Fertilize
Fertilize your Willow Oak when planting with the Bower & Branch Elements Starter Plant Food. Repeat each spring to ensure your tree has plenty of nutrients for the growing season!
How To Prune
A very low maintenance tree, little pruning work is required. Prune as needed in late winter or in very early spring while the tree is still dormant.
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.
