Willow Oak is a distinctive southern and mid-Atlantic oak with narrow, willow-like leaves completely unlike those of most oaks, making it immediately recognizable in the forest. It grows in moist lowlands, bottomlands, and along streams from New York to Florida and west to Texas. Its very small, round acorns are produced in massive quantities and are a critical food source for waterfowl, particularly wood ducks, as well as deer, turkeys, and songbirds. It is widely planted as a shade tree in cities across the Southeast.
Best time to see a Willow Oak
The best time to see a Willow Oak is March–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 12,188 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Willow Oak? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Willow Oak sightings near you
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