Bayshore/ Willow Oak

COMMON NAME: Willow Oak

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Peach Oak, Sand-jack Oak

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Quercus phellos

FAMILY: Fagaceae

COMMUNITY: Maritime Forest

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial (Tree)

HEIGHT: to 80 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early to mid May

FRUITING TIME: Matures September to November of second year

DISTRIBUTION: Long Island, NY to Florida and west to Texas ~ Throughout coastal plain outside the Pine Barrens in NJ

A Willow Oak grows in Janet’s Garden at Island Beach State Park. It was planted in memory of Janet de Camp.  The de Camp family is a generous supporter of the herbarium at IBSP.

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves resemble willow leaves, 2 to 5 inches long, lance shaped, alternate, sharp tip, turn yellow in fall ~ Twigs smooth, reddish-brown, terminal bud covered with brown scales ~ Bark gray tinted with red-brown ~ Flowers inconspicuous, yellow-green, male flowers borne in catkins; female flowers borne singly or in twos ~ Acorn (fruit) greenish-brown, singly or in pairs, round, 1/2 inch long, base in saucer-like cup

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Fagaceae) commonly called the Beach Family consists of large trees and some shrubs including chestnuts, chinkapins, and oaks as well as beeches. More than 200 species of oaks grow in the world, 60 of these occurring in the USA.  In general, the oaks are split into two groups: the red oaks and the white oaks.  The red oaks have bristle-tipped leaves and acorns that take two years to mature.  The white oaks have rounded lobes and acorns that mature in one season. The family name, Fagaceae comes from the Latin fagus derived from the Greek phagein which means “to eat”.  The genus Quercus is probably of Celtic origin meaning “beautiful tree”.   Members of this genus have acorns and the shape of this fruit can be used to identify the various species. The Willow Oak was named for its willow-like leaves.  It is planted as a shade tree in the Southern United States.  The Willow oak is also used for rough lumber, ties and fuel.