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Beacon Swamp White Oak Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide
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White oak trees are arguably some of the most majestic native trees to grow on American soil—and the Beacon Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor 'Bonnie and Mike,' is a good example of that. But, this handsome tree comes with a twist: it is tall and columnar whereas most white oaks have broad, spreading canopies. That means you can plant this unique variety in smaller spaces or wherever you want to add a vertical lift to your landscaping. Like other white oaks, it is an easy-care tree that needs no fussing over. It is hardy throughout much of the U.S. and can handle temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are a few more reasons to consider this tree for your own landscape:
- White oaks are long-lived trees and can last for several hundred years.
- They are good trees for attracting wildlife.
- In fall, leaves turn bright golden-yellow for an impressive display.
Plant Care
Sunlight
Beacon Swamp White Oak thrives in full sunlight, six or more hours of direct sunlight a day.
Watering
Water young trees weekly, giving them one inch of water each time; mature trees only need one inch per month.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your white oak in early spring with a product designed for landscape trees and shrubs.
Planting and Care
Planting instructions
Site your tree in acidic soil with good drainage and in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Unpot your sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in the hole, spreading out the roots. While holding it upright and steady, fill in around the roots with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a two to three-inch layer of organic mulch such as bark chips around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid problems with rot.
Watering and nutrients
Water young trees once a week, giving them about an inch of water each time. After the first year or so, you should only need to water during very dry or hot weather. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release product designed for landscape trees and shrubs.
Pollination
White oaks are monoecious, meaning that a single tree has both male and female reproductive organs. The trees produce more acorns, however, when there is another tree planted nearby. Pollination happens through the action of wind, and pollinated flowers produce small acorns, which are the seeds of the white oak.
Pruning
When your tree is young, you can prune it lightly in spring to shape it. Cut out any dead, diseased or damaged branches whenever you see them, as well as any branches that are rubbing against each other. A mature Beacon Swamp White Oak shouldn’t need any significant pruning.
Pests, diseases and animals
Pests that may appear on your white oak include gypsy moths, white oak borers and oak leaf aphids. A healthy tree can fend off mild infestations, but if insect pressure is severe, consider releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to fight the pests. Use insecticides as a last resort. Beacon Swamp White Oak is rarely bothered by disease. Infrequently, it may have issues with anthracnose or armillaria root rot. These are both fungal diseases and are more common in very wet weather. Animals that may appear on your oak include squirrels and other small mammals that are drawn to the acorns.
Achieving maximum results
Knowing how to best use these native North American trees in your landscape is one way to achieve maximum results. With their tall, thin shape, Beacon Swamp White Oak trees are suited to adding vertical space to a garden or landscape area. Because of their shape, they are good for smaller urban lots, since their narrow footprint takes up less room than other shade trees. Consider planting one or more in the corner of a garden, with smaller perennial shrubs and other plantings in front. Keep in mind that your white oak will cast a shadow and choose shade-loving smaller plantings as needed. Avoid planting it under overhead utility cables, as well, to avoid conflicts. In larger spaces, this white oak would look at home in gardens that are Mediterranean-themed or influenced by Asian gardens.
FAQs
How big does the Beacon Swamp White Oak get?
These trees can reach a height of 30 to 35 feet, with a mature width of only 12 to 16 feet. Because of the narrow width, they fit in spaces that would be inappropriate for most varieties of white oak. If planting near a home or other building, be sure to leave enough space between the structure and the tree—at least eight feet is recommended.
Where can I grow the Beacon Swamp White Oak?
These trees can be grown in USDA hardiness zones four through eight, which encompasses most of the continental U.S. They can be grown as far north as coastal New England, and in all but the subtropical regions of the southern U.S.
How fast do white oaks grow?
The Beacon Swamp White Oak has a fairly slow-to-moderate growth rate, putting on about 12 to 24 inches of new growth a year until it reaches its mature height. Keep in mind that these sturdy trees are long-lived, and there are examples that have reached an age of up to 300 years.
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