American Sycamore
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) – The Swamp white oak is a medium-sized tree of north central and northeastern mixed forests. It is found in lowlands, along edges of streams, and in swamps subject to flooding. It is rapid growing and long lived, reaching 300 to 350 years. The hard strong wood is commercially valuable and is usually cut and sold as white oak. Many kinds of wildlife eat the acorns, particularly ducks.

The Swamp white oak, a lowland tree, grows from southwestern Maine west to New York, southern Quebec, and southern Ontario, to central Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and southeastern Minnesota; south to Iowa and Missouri; east to Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Jersey. It is scattered in North Carolina and northeastern Kansas. This species is most common and reaches its largest size in western New York and northern Ohio.

The latin name, bicolor, refers to the distinctive two-colored appearance of the leaves; green on the upper surface, and whitish on the under surface. Also, unlike other oaks, the dark brown bark of branches peels away in ragged curls exposing the lighter colored bark beneath. The English name refers to its preference for swamps, stream banks and bottomlands. This tree is found throughout much of Ohio, although infrequently in the hilly southeastern part of the state. Wood from this tree, although often more knotty, is used in much the same way as that of the white oak.
 

Summary

Shape: Oval, rounded or umbrella; erect or spreading
Leaves: Broad, flat, simple with rounded teeth
Fruit: Acorns mature and fall during September and October
Growth Rate: 12 inches per season
Height: 65 feet
Zone: 4 to 8
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Prefers moist and wet soils (clay, loam or sand)
Comments: The acorns are sweet and are eaten by squirrels and other rodents, wild ducks, and several nongame bird species.