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Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC

Specializing in plants native to mid-Atlantic ecosystem

October 2, 2020

Species Spotlight – Willow Oak

The Willow Oak, Quercus phellos, a medium to large species within the “red oak group”, occurs mostly in the Southeastern United States. It occurs from Missouri, south to extreme-eastern Texas, east to the Florida Panhandle, and extending north along the coast to Long Island, New York.

It is listed as a Pennsylvania endangered species, currently only present in a few south-eastern counties of Pennsylvania but naturally absent from the rest of the state.

Form, Habit, Growth Rate

This species usually has more height than spread; commonly growing 40 to 70 feet tall and 25 to 50 feet wide at maturity but has been recorded surpassing 100 feet tall. Its name comes from its leaves, which are small, narrow, and very similar in appearance to those of a willow tree. These leaves make this oak unique, and perhaps a better choice for those who refuse deciduous trees with large leaves.

The Willow Oak grows quickly compared to other oaks. Fall foliage tends to be yellow or gold.  To plant your Willow Oak, choose a moist, well-drained loamy soil in full sun or part shade. It does tolerate poorly drained soils, including those heavy with clay.  Be sure to cage young trees to protect against deer browse and buck rubs.

It is important to note that caution should be used when growing this tree north of zone 6; a southern exposure may be helpful if growing in zone 5.

Wildlife Value

Like other oak species, the Willow Oak has remarkable value for wildlife. It serves as a larval host for several butterflies and moths, as well as the Northern walkingstick (stick insect). And of course, the acorns are relished by a myriad of mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, flying squirrels, deer, foxes, bears, white-footed mice, raccoons.  Not to mention the birds that enjoy the acorns, such as woodpeckers, blue jays, crows, ducks, grouse, quail, pheasants, turkeys, and nuthatches.

 

Article by Louise Schaefer / Plants

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1 day ago

Want some blueberries this season? We have some beautiful blueberry bushes that will bear fruit this year.

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1 day ago

We just released gallon-sized native deciduous and evergreen azaleas/Rhododendrons. Color of flowers is noted after the botanical name :)

Azaleas (deciduous):

Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) ORANGE
Pinxter azalea (R. periclymenoides) PINK
Piedmont azalea (R. canescens) PINK
Rose shell azalea (R. prinophyllum) PINK
Onocee azalea (R. flammeum) ORANGE
Swamp azalea (R. viscosum) WHITE
Sweet azalea (R. arborescens) WHITE
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum) WHITE

“Rhodies” (evergreen):

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) WHITE
‘Roseum Elegans’ (Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Roseum Elegans’) MAGENTA-PINK
‘Boursalt’ (Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Boursalt’) MAGENTA-PINK

We also have limited amounts of some in larger containers:

Great laurel (R. maximum) WHITE
Sweet azalea (R. arborescens) WHITE
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum) WHITE
Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) ORANGE
Swamp azalea (R. viscosum) WHITE

We also have plenty of mountain laurel left (Kalmia latifolia) including:

Straight species
‘Olympic Fire’
‘Elf’ (dwarf)
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Climate-Wise Landscaping

Replace the seasonal non-native plantings that need to be replaced every few months with native perennial borders. And instead of wide spaces of mulch between the plants, place them close together so that there is little room for weeds. This practice is part of climate-wise landscaping because it reduces soil disturbances, which reduces the carbon released to the air and it reduces the large footprint of repetitive production and transport to supply new plants every season. The perennials will last for many seasons and require much less labor.
www.climatewiselandscaping.com
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Trees, trees, and more trees! Oh, and shrubs, shrubs, and yes, more shrubs! We have a wonderful selection of native trees and shrubs available now. Woody plants provide interest all year long, height to the garden, vital habitat for wildlife, and years of satisfaction as you watch your plant grow into a mature specimen! They are the foundation of our greater, forested ecosystem spanning most of eastern North America, which historically covered nearly 100% of Pennsylvania’s landmass. Today, forested land still makes up the majority of Pennsylvania’s total land area, at about 58% coverage. Below are some of the trees we have now, keep an eye for another post soon about shrubs :)

Available now:

*Trees*

Shagbark hickory
Shellbark hickory
Red maple
Sugar maple
Red oak
Willow oak
Black oak
Shumard oak
Pin oak
Beech
Sycamore
Fringetree
Red bud
Carolina silver bell
White pine
Red pine
Virginia pine
Pitch pine
White spruce
Red spruce
Eastern Red Cedar
American linden
Sassafrass
Bald cypress
Franklinia
Sweetbay magnolia
River birch
‘Heritage’ River Birch
Yellow Birch
Mountain ash
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Mary - Fredericksburg, PA

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC
A WBE Certified Woman Owned Business
Promoting Native Plants Since 2003

2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069
(610) 395-2570
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