Kim BrattainFounder/ CEO, Kim Brattain Media · Award-winning Corporate and Documentary Film Producer

How to Identify the Willow Oak Tree | Charlotte Tree ID

27 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief field‑identification segment, presenter Dominic introduces the willow oak (Quercus phellos) as a signature tree of Charlotte. He explains that the species can be recognized by its long, narrow leaves that differ from typical oak foliage. He notes that the tree’s acorns are a food source for deer, squirrels, and many bird species. Dominic describes the willow oak’s natural preference for streamside locations in the city and recounts how residents historically dug up seedlings to plant around their homes. He highlights the tree’s strong pollution tolerance, which has allowed it to grow large and tall throughout Charlotte, contributing to the city’s reputation as the “City of Trees.”

Chapters

Hey, Dominic here, and I have with me the willow oak, which is one of the most recognizable and distinct trees in Charlotte. When you want to identify a willow oak, look for these leaves. They're long and they're narrow, super distinctive and unlike other oak trees. And the willow oak's acorns are appreciated by deer, squirrels, and a variety of birds. The willow oak grows naturally along the streams in our city, and back in the day, people would dig them up and Plant them at their homes. They're really resistant to pollution, so they've grown large and they've grown tall and they're all over our city, and they're one of the main reasons people think of Charlotte as the City of Trees. Hey!