Quercus bicolor (kware’-kus by’-kul-er)
Family: Fagaceae, Beech

Key Steps

• 1b – Alternate leaf arrangement — go to 18
  • 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
    • 19b – Thornless — go to 22
      • 22d – All leaves lobed — go to 23
        • 23a – Pinnate venation — go to 24
          • 24a – Leaves clustered toward stem tip. Pith is 5-angled or star-shaped — go to 25
            • 25b – Tips of lobes are rounded or blunt; no bristles at tips of lobes — go to 27
              • 27b – Leaf base is wedge-shaped or round. White-gray and hairy beneath — go to 28
                • 28b – Shallow lobes, leathery. Yellow petiole and midrib — Swamp White Oak

Description

Leaf: 3-7 inches long. Shallow, rounded lobes. No bristle on tips of lobes. Dark green above, white beneath. Yellow midrib and petiole.

Bud: Light brown, hairy above the middle. There may be thin appendages among the scales.

Leaf Scar: Half round.

Stem: Yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, smooth.

Bark: Grayish-brown, flaky, deep furrows.

Fruit: Acorn is 1 inch long. Usually two together. Cup covers 1/3 of light brown acorn.

Habit: 50-60 feet tall, spreading, open, broad. Short trunk.

Culture: Grows naturally in moist areas. But can adapt to drought conditions. Prefers acidic soils.

Resources

• Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs, CMG GardenNotes #173
• List of trees in this key
• Glossary of Terms
• Front Range Tree Recommendation List
• Online CSU Extension publications on Tree and Shrub Selection