Swamp white oak is a medium to large oak with peeling bark on branches and leaves that are pale and fuzzy underneath. It is well adapted to seasonally wet conditions.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, swamp white oaks grow in low, poorly drained areas, along floodplains, and near wetlands. They tolerate periodic flooding and heavy, moist soils better than many other oaks.
Uses and significance
The wood is similar to other white oaks and used for lumber and cooperage. Acorns provide food for wildlife, and the tree is increasingly planted in restoration projects on wet sites.