The acorns are not as messy as other oaks. The willow oak is often used as a shade tree or street tree, in buffer strips and along highways. A tough tree that adapts well to urban conditions, it does not tolerate high-pH soils where it can develop chlorosis due to iron deficiency. It grows best in full sun. While this tree transplants easily, it should be transplanted while dormant, in late winter, as it reportedly does not transplant well in fall.
Willow oak has few major problems.
Root rot can be a problem in small urban spaces. Other problems include borers, orange-striped oakworm, trunk canker and iron chlorosis. Black oak grows 50 to 60 feet tall. This oak can live 150 to 200 years. It grows in sun to partial shade, and while it prefers moist, rich, well-drained acid soils, it tolerates poor, dry, sandy soils.