Willow Oak Tree
Quercus phellos
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Willow Oak Tree - #3 Container 2-3 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
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2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Willow Oak Tree highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring

Growing Zones 5-9
Fast, Spectacular Shade Willow Oak Tree
For homeowners interested in an elegant, unique, hardy and fast-growing Oaktree, the stately native Willow Oak Tree (Quercus phellos) is a wonderful choice. This is one of the most popular trees for streets, parks, estates, and large residential properties.
This strong, beautiful tree is unique in the Red Oak group. Native to the Southern United States, the most noticeable difference between the Willow Oak and a traditional Red Oak is the leaves.
Without the classic sharp lobes of the typical Red Oak, the Willow Oak has glossy, slender leaves that are similar to that of a Weeping Willow. The lateral limbs have a downward and outward swoop that adds credibility to the name "Willow" Oak.
The overall effect is a lovely shade tree with a very graceful profile and a fine texture. In spring, long, narrow, light green, willow-like leaves darken as the summer comes on.
Well known as a favorite of Thomas Jefferson, when young the Willow Oak grows in an elegant pyramidal habit. With age, it becomes somewhat rounded. The trunk is straight and stout, adding to its majestic appearance in the landscape.
The fall color is yet another plus for this Oak. It displays beautiful yellow to golden-russet with hints of red colors in the fall to brighten up streets and yards.
Willow Oak is a perfect shade tree that is well known for its ability to tolerate harsh urban conditions. It is a very popular street tree in many cities, including Washington D.C.
The Willow Oak is a beautiful and elegant tree that works well as a street tree in humid climates. Known for its strength and its air cleaning abilities, the Oak plays double duty in the urban landscape.
In the most ideal conditions - such as along streams or planted in a large, acidic lawn - this Oak is relatively disease and pest free and requires little maintenance.
Order this gorgeous shade tree today!
How to Use Willow Oak Tree in the Landscape
It's important to keep in mind that this beautiful tree will eventually grow quite large. Give Willow Oak room to grow. Please don't plant within 25 feet of buildings or walkways. While the fibrous root systems don't produce many surface roots, you'll want to avoid pruning hassles with this variety.
The branches will grow out, then sweep downward, so you'll want to plan to either remove lower branches or leave room for them.
This is perhaps one of the best shade trees in a large lawn. With few surface roots, this is a low maintenance tree when used correctly. It features a simple fall clean up. Small leaves drop quickly and do not persist on the tree like other Oaks.
This is a fast-growing Oak. You'll quickly enjoy the marvelous shade that blocks hot afternoon sun from southern or western exposures.
- Unique Slender Leathery Foliage
- Variety of Fast Growing Deciduous Tree With A Beautiful Form
- Form of Red Oak - Native To Southern US
- Can Be Semi-Evergreen In Frost-Free Growing Zones
- Nearly-Weeping Branching
- Tolerant of Urban Conditions - Street Trees, Specimens & Shade Trees
#ProPlantTips for Care
This widely adaptable tree tolerates poor drainage. However, Willow Oak performs best in locations where it receives at least 6 hours of sun a day and moist, well-drained soil.
When first planting your Willow Oak, watch to make sure it gets regular watering. Once established, it becomes drought tolerant in all but the hottest areas.
Though adapted to many different climates and soil types, the Willow Oak does require an acid soil with a pH of 6 or less. It does not do well in high pH soils. Given the right pH, the Willow Oak is considered to be one of the easiest of the Oaks to transplant and establish.
Fertilize it twice a year in late winter and mid-summer with Dr. Earths Acid Lovers Organic and Natural Premium Fertilizer to support the tree. Use Nature Hills Root Booster at the bottom of the planting hole to get your tree off to a great start.
In the perfect conditions, a growing height of 75 to 80 feet can be achieved. Usually, however, conditions are not quite ideal. In that case, average height for Willow Oak is approximately 60 feet.
- Full Sun
- Well-Drained Soil - Highly Adaptable
- Moderate to Low Moisture Needs - Drought Tolerant
- Prune When Dormant
- Disease & Pest Resistant
Order today and plant this stunning Oak to enjoy for generations to come. You'll love it! Now available at NatureHills.com!