Quercus phellos – Willow Oak - Evergreen Trees Direct

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

$650.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 2m - 2.5m Approx

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 18m to 25m

Mature Width: 12m to 18m

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

Quercus phellos, the Willow Oak, carries narrow strap shaped leaves with smooth edges, closer to a willow than an oak, on an upright trunk that builds a broad rounded crown with age. The fine foliage gives the canopy an unusually even texture and turns soft yellow before falling in autumn.

It wants full sun and deep soil with reliable moisture while establishing, then handles frost, wind and city conditions without complaint. Growth is a steady 40 to 60 centimetres a year through temperate and cool temperate districts, and mature trees reach roughly 15 to 20 metres tall by 10 to 15 metres wide.

Councils and landscape architects specify it for streets, avenues, park edges and large civic plantings, because the trunk stays straight, the canopy lifts cleanly over traffic and the small leaves break down quickly instead of blocking gutters. It is a long horizon shade tree for sites that will still be there in fifty years.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Willow Oak

What is a Willow Oak?

Quercus phellos is a deciduous oak from the eastern United States with narrow, smooth edged leaves that look like willow foliage rather than typical oak leaves. It grows on a strong central trunk into a broad rounded crown, and the fine foliage gives it a lighter texture than other oaks.

How big does Willow Oak grow?

In Australian conditions expect roughly 15 to 20 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide at maturity, reached over several decades. The form is upright and narrow when young, broadening and rounding with age. It is a genuine large shade tree and needs to be sited with that in mind.

How fast does it grow?

Moderate to steady, about 40 to 60 centimetres a year, and faster on deep soil with reliable moisture. It establishes more readily than many oaks because the root system is comparatively fibrous, which also means advanced transplanted stock settles in and starts moving sooner than you might expect.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. The leaves turn soft yellow and bronze through autumn and fall over a fairly short window. Because each leaf is narrow and small, the litter breaks down quickly and causes far less trouble in gutters and stormwater drains than the broad leaves of most other oak species.

Is it frost tolerant?

It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, so it suits cool temperate and cold inland districts as well as milder temperate ones. It also stands up to wind exposure. Winter cold is not a limiting factor for this species anywhere it is grown in Australia.

Is it a good street tree?

It is widely specified for streets and avenues. The trunk stays straight, the canopy can be lifted cleanly for vehicle clearance, the small leaves cause fewer drainage problems and the tree tolerates compacted soil and urban air. Allow 3 metres between trees for a close avenue, or more for full crowns.

How do I care for a newly planted Willow Oak?

Water deeply and regularly through the first two or three summers, since it likes consistent moisture while establishing. Mulch a wide ring and keep it clear of the trunk. Formative prune in winter to hold one central leader, and lift the lower limbs gradually rather than all in a single season.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Street Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Feature Tree

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.

Is Quercus phellos – Willow Oak Evergreen or Deciduous?

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 18m to 25m

Mature Width: 12m to 18m

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

Is Quercus phellos – Willow Oak frost tolerant?

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Quercus phellos – Willow Oak Flower?

Quercus phellos does not produce ornamental flowers. It forms small, inconspicuous catkins in spring that are followed by typical oak acorns, with the tree valued primarily for its fine, willow-like foliage and elegant form rather than its blooms.

Does Quercus phellos – Willow Oak flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Quercus phellos – Willow Oak an Australian Native Tree?

No

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is Native to Eastern and southeastern United States, where Quercus phellos grows naturally in lowlands, floodplains, and moist temperate forests.

What is the Wildlife Value of Quercus phellos – Willow Oak ?

Its broad canopy provides valuable shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the foliage supports a range of beneficial insects that contribute to a balanced ecosystem. The acorns produced in autumn offer an additional seasonal food source, strengthening biodiversity in larger landscapes.

How much Sunlight does Quercus phellos – Willow Oak need?

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Quercus phellos performs best in well-drained loam soils with consistent moisture and an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate sandy soils if enriched with organic matter to improve water retention and fertility. Avoid alkaline, compacted or waterlogged conditions unless significantly improved, as poor drainage can restrict root development. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Quercus phellos – Willow Oak Drought Tolerant?

Is Quercus phellos – Willow Oak Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular deep watering to establish a strong root system, particularly during warmer months. Once established, Willow Oak shows moderate drought tolerance and performs reliably through dry periods when planted in suitable soils, though occasional supplementary watering supports optimal canopy health during extended heat.

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How To Plant Your Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Quercus phellos – Willow Oak is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Quercus phellos – Willow Oak

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Quercus phellos – Willow Oak in Different Soil

Quercus phellos performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.