Hey everyone! I'm curious if anyone has successfully grown a swamp oak (quercus palustris) in water, like in a pond. I'm thinking of starting a container pond and dream of having a tree growing in it similar to how mangroves do. I usually stick to native plants, and I've got plenty of swamp oak around my backyard.
Is it possible for swamp oak to grow safely in water? Many folks say it probably won't work, but I've come across some images of them thriving in wet conditions in the wild. I'm guessing their 'swamp' name comes from something similar, right? I did a bit of searching but didn't find many examples, so I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts!
2 Answers
So, interesting point about swamp oaks! They can handle wet soil pretty well, but they’re not designed to be submerged all the time. The 'swamp' part in their name usually means they won’t die if the soil stays wet for a while, like in seasonal pools, but they don't thrive underwater all year round. Just be cautious if you try it out!
Yeah, I agree with that perspective. Oak roots are pretty aggressive, so they’ll probably damage the container if they get too big. While they do thrive in floodplain areas, those floods don't last all the time, so this might not be the best choice for a permanent pond situation.
Good point! I appreciate the heads up on the roots. Maybe I should look for a different tree species that’s better suited for constant water.
Thanks for the insight! I didn’t realize there was a difference. Sounds like I might need to rethink this a little.