Willow Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus phellos

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quercus phellos, or willow oak, is a fast-growing shade tree with narrow, willow-like leaves. It grows best in full sun with medium soil moisture and produces small catkin flowers from March through May.

Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) 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 Willow Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

360"–720" H × 480"–720" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 16 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, nectar insects

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.

Find rebates in your area

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 Northeastern Coastal Zone 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 Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Willow Oak is a large, stately shade tree with narrow, willow-like leaves that turn yellow in fall. This fast-growing native oak develops a pyramidal shape when young, maturing into a broad, rounded canopy that provides excellent shade for large properties.

Growing Willow Oak

Grow Willow Oak in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 360 to 720 inches tall and spread 480 to 720 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Willow Oak takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

Supports butterflies and nectar insects during its spring bloom period. As a native oak, it also provides important habitat and food for numerous bird species and other wildlife.

Common questions

How much light does willow oak need to grow well?: Willow oak grows best in full sun, though young trees can tolerate some part shade before establishing a full canopy.
How much water does willow oak require?: Willow oak prefers medium soil moisture and handles occasional wet or poorly drained sites better than many other oak species.
When does willow oak bloom?: Willow oak produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green catkins in March, April, and May, typical of the timing for oaks in this region.
Does willow oak support pollinators and wildlife?: Willow oak provides early-season nectar for insects and serves as a larval host plant for several butterfly species, making it valuable for pollinator gardens.
Is Willow Oak toxic to dogs?: Willow Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Willow Oak toxic to cats?: Willow Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Willow Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Willow Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Willow Oak HOA-friendly?: Willow Oak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Willow Oak? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz

Common questions

How much light does willow oak need to grow well?

Willow oak grows best in full sun, though young trees can tolerate some part shade before establishing a full canopy.

How much water does willow oak require?

Willow oak prefers medium soil moisture and handles occasional wet or poorly drained sites better than many other oak species.

When does willow oak bloom?

Willow oak produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green catkins in March, April, and May, typical of the timing for oaks in this region.

Does willow oak support pollinators and wildlife?

Willow oak provides early-season nectar for insects and serves as a larval host plant for several butterfly species, making it valuable for pollinator gardens.

Is Willow Oak toxic to dogs?

Willow Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).

Is Willow Oak toxic to cats?

Willow Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).

Is Willow Oak toxic to livestock?

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

Is Willow Oak HOA-friendly?

Willow Oak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides