When Will a Swamp White Oak Bear Acorns?

Acorn-Bearing Age

• The swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) normally bears acorns when it reaches an age of 20 to 30 years. The acorn of the swamp white oak is distinguished from other acorns by its long stalk. The tree achieves its greatest production of acorns between 70 and 100 years of age, a period that is considered to be early or mid-life for the specimen, as swamp white oaks commonly live as long as 350 years.

Crop Yield

• The yearly yield of acorn crops will vary in a swamp white oak with the tree producing a bountiful crop every three to five years. The tree uses the less-than-spectacular years as an opportunity to regenerate its full health and vigor and prepare for the next large production stage. The acorns -- or seeds -- of the tree demand no dormancy period and germinate the same season that they ripen and fall, beginning the process of growing another swamp white oak tree.

Food Source

• The taste of the acorns is sweet and the nut is thoroughly enjoyed by a variety of wildlife including beaver, deer, mice, squirrels, bears, birds, turkeys and ducks. Humans may also consume the acorn of the swamp white oak in either a raw or cooked form. Native-Americans and early pioneers ground the nut into a powder and used it as a thickening for stews or in cereals and breads. In ground form, the acorn works as a substitute for coffee.

Environment

• Like all trees and plants, the age at when a swamp white oak bears acorns -- its fruit -- can be affected by environmental and cultural concerns in addition to affliction by pests and disease. The tree grows best in full sunshine in moist, deep, rich, acidic soils located in swampy areas or near the organic earth of runoff from river bottoms, streams and ponds. The ability of the tree to produce acorns regularly and early will be largely dependent on these conditions.