When does Quercus lyrata bloom?

Overcup oak produces its inconspicuous flowers in April and May, with catkins appearing as new leaves emerge.

What pollinators visit Quercus lyrata?

Like most oaks, it is mainly wind pollinated, but bees and beetles also visit the catkins for pollen.

What growing conditions does overcup oak need?

It performs best in full sun on wet, poorly drained soils and tolerates periodic flooding better than most oaks.

What kind of habitat suits Quercus lyrata?

It is typically found in bottomland hardwood forests, floodplains, and low wet clay flats that stay saturated for part of the year.

Is Swamp Post Oak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Swamp Post Oak as toxic to livestock.

Is Swamp Post Oak HOA-friendly?

Swamp Post Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Swamp Post Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus lyrata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quercus lyrata, or overcup oak, is a deciduous tree well suited to wet bottomlands and floodplain soils across the southeastern United States. It blooms in April and May and grows best in full sun with consistently moist to wet ground.

Swamp Post Oak (Quercus lyrata) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Swamp Post Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

360"–600" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Piedmont Central Corn Belt Plains Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

Swamp post oak is a large native tree that thrives in wet soils and low-lying areas. This deciduous oak produces small spring flowers followed by acorns and develops a broad, spreading canopy that provides excellent shade.

Growing Swamp Post Oak

Grow Swamp Post Oak in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 360 to 600 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Swamp Post Oak is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Very large mature size may overwhelm smaller properties
Acorn drop in fall requires cleanup

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles, while the acorns feed squirrels, deer, and numerous bird species. As a native oak, it supports hundreds of caterpillar species that are crucial food sources for birds.

Common questions

When does Quercus lyrata bloom?: Overcup oak produces its inconspicuous flowers in April and May, with catkins appearing as new leaves emerge.
What pollinators visit Quercus lyrata?: Like most oaks, it is mainly wind pollinated, but bees and beetles also visit the catkins for pollen.
What growing conditions does overcup oak need?: It performs best in full sun on wet, poorly drained soils and tolerates periodic flooding better than most oaks.
What kind of habitat suits Quercus lyrata?: It is typically found in bottomland hardwood forests, floodplains, and low wet clay flats that stay saturated for part of the year.
Is Swamp Post Oak toxic to dogs?: Swamp Post Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Swamp Post Oak toxic to cats?: Swamp Post Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Swamp Post Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Swamp Post Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Swamp Post Oak HOA-friendly?: Swamp Post Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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