Quercus bicolor aka Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor, also known as the swamp white oak, is a medium-sized deciduous tree that belongs to the beech family. This North American species is commonly found in the mixed forests of the north central and northeastern regions of America. It can grow in a variety of habitats, from moist to swampy locations in bottomlands and lowlands, such as along streams and lakes, valleys, floodplains, and at the edge of swamps. The leaves of the swamp white oak are broad ovoid and glaucous on the underside, with 5-10 rounded lobes or blunt teeth along the margins. They turn brown, yellow-brown, or sometimes reddish in autumn. In spring, insignificant flowers in separate male and female catkins appear. The fruit is a peduncled acorn, which matures about 6 months after pollination. The swamp white oak can grow rapidly, reaching heights of 60 to 80 feet and living up to 285 years. It is also one of the more important white oaks for lumber production, with wood similar to that of Q. alba. In the fall, wildlife such as deer, bear, turkey, ducks, and geese are attracted to this tree when acorns are dropping. Swamp white oak is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Additionally, swamp white oak forms hybrids with bur oak where they occur together in the wild.