Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Swamp White Oak

Brand:  J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Description:

A broadly pyramidal habit of growth with excellent density; selected for strong resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew; extremely tough and adaptable to wet conditions but not tolerant of alkaline soils; slow growing; acorns attract squirrels

Ornamental Features

American Dream® Oak has dark green foliage with silver undersides which emerges light green in spring on a tree with a pyramidal habit of growth. The glossy lobed leaves turn outstanding shades of yellow, orange and brown in the fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape Attributes

American Dream® Oak is a dense deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting squirrels to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy

American Dream® Oak is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

American Dream® Oak will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 300 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This is a selection of a native North American species.