Species

Quercus phellosWillow Oak

1 other cultivar

‘Atlantys’Atlantys Willow Oak

treeN. America Native

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos 'Wynstar'

The Story

Plant Bio

Quercus phellos, the willow oak, is a deciduous tree native to the eastern and southeastern United States, easily recognized by its narrow, unlobed, willow-like leaves. It forms a large, rounded canopy at maturity and adapts exceptionally well to poorly drained, heavy clay soils and urban environments.

'QPMTF', marketed under the trade name Wynstar, is distinguished by its highly uniform, broadly pyramidal habit with a strong central leader and finer-textured foliage. The new spring growth and fall foliage emerge with rich burgundy-red, orange, and yellow-brown tones, and the cultivar exhibits improved resistance to spider mites.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, uniform, pyramidal canopy with fine-textured foliage that turns rich burgundy, orange, and yellow-brown in fall.

Highly tolerant of urban pollution, compacted clay, and periodic wet soils, making it an excellent street or shade tree.

Acorns serve as a critical food source for turkeys, woodpeckers, and mammals, while the canopy offers nesting sites for songbirds.

SpeciesQuercus phellosWillow Oak

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

720"

Width

480"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Toxic to horses and livestock

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in a full sun to light shade location with deep, moist, acidic to neutral soil.
Water deeply and regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system.
Apply a layer of organic mulch around the root zone to retain moisture, keeping it clear of the trunk.
Prune structurally during the dormant winter season when young to maintain a single dominant leader.

Pro Tip

Establish a strong central leader early through structural pruning in winter; avoiding harsh topping or cutting into old, leafless structural wood prevents weak branch crotches and patchy regrowth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune young trees in winter to establish a single, strong central leader.
Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained during the establishment phase.
Monitor for scale and spider mites, treating early with horticultural oil if needed.

Don't

Do not cut back into old, leafless structural wood, which leads to weak regrowth.
Do not plant near pastures where horses or livestock can ingest the tannin-rich leaves and acorns.
Do not over-fertilize established trees unless a specific nutrient deficiency is diagnosed.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Shade TreeStreet TreeRain GardenSpecimen PlantingBuffer Strips

Companion Plants

Vaccinium corymbosum Ilex verticillata Polystichum acrostichoides Carex pensylvanica

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Willow Oak questions

What zones can Willow Oak grow in?

Willow Oak is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Willow Oak deer resistant?

Yes — Willow Oak is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Willow Oak bloom?

Willow Oak typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Willow Oak need full sun?

Willow Oak does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Willow Oak drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Willow Oak handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.