Willow oak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow oak |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Quercus phellos in Mississippi, United States | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Quercus
|
| Species: |
phellos
|
 |
|
The willow oak, also known by its scientific name Quercus phellos, is a type of deciduous tree found in North America. Deciduous means it loses its leaves every autumn. It belongs to the red oak group of oaks.
This tree naturally grows across the eastern and central parts of the United States. You can find it from Long Island Sound in the north, all the way down to northern Florida. To the west, its range reaches into parts of Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. Willow oaks usually grow in low, flat areas that often flood, like along streams. Sometimes, they can also be found in higher places where water doesn't drain well.
Contents
What Does a Willow Oak Look Like?
The willow oak is a medium-sized tree. It usually grows to be about 65 to 100 feet (20 to 30 meters) tall. Its trunk can be 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) wide.
Willow-Like Leaves
One special thing about the willow oak is its leaves. They look a lot like the leaves of a willow tree. They are long and narrow, about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12 cm) long and 0.5 to 1 inch (1 to 2.5 cm) wide. Unlike many other oak leaves, they are smooth and don't have any jagged edges or lobes. They are bright green on top and a lighter green underneath.
Willow oaks can grow quite fast, sometimes up to 2 feet (60 cm) taller each year. When they are young, they often have a cone or oval shape. As they get older, usually after 50 years, their shape becomes more rounded and their trunk gets thicker.
Acorns and Wildlife
The fruit of the willow oak is an acorn. These acorns are small, about 0.3 to 0.5 inches (8 to 12 mm) long. Willow oaks produce many acorns, more than many other oak trees. These acorns are an important food source for animals like squirrels and other wildlife. A willow oak tree starts making acorns when it is about 15 years old.
Where Willow Oaks Grow
Willow oaks are most common in the southern and eastern parts of the USA. They like wet places, especially along rivers and streams.
How People Use Willow Oaks
Willow oaks are very popular as ornamental trees. This means they are planted in parks, gardens, and along streets because they look nice. They grow quickly and can handle both sun and shade. Their light green leaves and full, rounded tops make them attractive.
You might see them planted in cities like Washington, D.C., Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. However, these trees can grow much larger than people expect. This sometimes causes problems like cracked sidewalks as their roots and trunks expand.
The wood from willow oaks is also used. It is often sold as "red oak" wood and can be used for pulp and paper production, as well as for lumber to build things.
Images for kids
-
Quercus phellos in Mississippi, United States
-
Willow oak leaves turn a pretty yellow-brown in autumn.
-
The natural range of the willow oak in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Quercus phellos para niños
