Life History and Disturbance Response of Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
Family: Fagaceae
Guild: persistent, large-seeded, advance growth dependent
Functional Lifeform: medium sized deciduous tree
Ecological Role: A lowland tree, associated with lands that are periodically flooded. Swamp white oak is a consistent though minor component of hydro-mesophytic forest. The acorns are eaten by a variety of wildlife.
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): 150-200/300
Shade Tolerance: intermediate
Height, m: 18-25
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 20/75/200
Mast Frequency, yrs: 3-5yrs
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: late spring
Seedfall Begins: early fall
Seed Banking: up to 1yr
Cold Stratification Required: no
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: nut/50m/gravity, birds, rodents
Season of Germination: fall
Seedling Rooting System: taproot
Sprouting: seedling and stump sprouts
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable
Light: variable
Moisture: moist required
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance Response:
Fire: Swamp white oak is found in bottomlands where fire is infrequent. It is relatively thick barked and this may provide some fire resistance. It will also produce stump sprouts and seedling sprouts when the top is killed or cut.
Weather:
Air Pollution:
Exotics: