Quercus michauxii

Common Names

Swamp Chestnut Oak, Cow Oak, Basket Oak, Chestnut Oak

Summary

Swamp Chestnut Oak is a large deciduous oak in the white oak group native to the southeastern United States, typically growing 60–80 feet tall with a 40–60 foot spread and a dense, rounded crown. Leaves are obovate, glossy green above with a pale pubescent underside, and fall color is red; acorns are large, sweet, and edible; the wood is strong and durable and historically used for flooring, posts, wagons, and tool handles. It tolerates wet soils and occasional flooding and is drought-tolerant, making it versatile for variable sites. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils and tolerates full sun to partial shade, adapting well to urban conditions and serving as a shade tree for large yards or parks. Propagation is by seed; acorns mature in fall and germinate readily; the tree develops a deep taproot, suggesting early transplantation for establishment. It provides wildlife habitat and food, and offers landscape value with low maintenance.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

720-1200 inches

Spread

40-60 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun. Tolerates Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loam with pH about 5.5–7.0.

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soils

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral soils, roughly pH 4.5–7.0.

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green on the upper surface with a gray-green underside.

Fall Foliage Color

Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, rooted cuttings, air layering, grafting; majority from rooted cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and butterflies