One of the smaller medium growth rate Oaks at a mature size of 50’X45’ standing upright and spreading out wide. These trees do fair in compacted alkaline soils and tolerate drought and some salt quite well. Yellow/brown to reddish fall colors are quite nice. Very attractive furrowed and flakey brown bark with pear shaped round lobed leaves and 1” acorns usually in pairs.
Tend to become chlorotic in alkaline soil requiring a chelated iron supplement in order to stay green. Need structure pruning and directional pruning over streets and sidewalks.
Some problems with different fungi but not seen often along the Front Range.
Aphids and leaf miners are a minor problem that occasionally require control.
Various available. A nice fastigate (columnar) is available and well suited for planting along streets.
Very popular food source for birds in the north. One study found that the sweet acorns of the swamp white oak make up 27% of one duck species’ entire diet!