Plot & PetalField ManualAll plants
Swamp white oak
Quercus bicolor Willd.
Family: Fagaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
ASPCA's oak page is whole-genus and names horses; no dog or cat verdict for this species. NC State's page lists low-severity poison characteristics for fruits and leaves. No all-clear is given; treat this plant as unchecked for pets.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
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- Hardiness zones
USDA 4a to 8b (NC State). Not listed for Florida.
- Water needs
moist to occasionally wet or dry; tolerates wet soil and some drought
- Mature size
unit: ft; scope: species, NC State; UConn also says 50-60 ft tall
- Where it comes from
NC State: southeastern Canada to northern central and eastern United States (Ontario and Quebec; 27 listed US states from Alabama and the Carolinas north to Minnesota and Maine).
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
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Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
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Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
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Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
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