Description

Quecus alba L., white oak, grows from Maine to Minnesota southward to Florida and Texas.  It is a large, stately tree that grows up to over 100 feet tall, and 38 to 50 inches in diameter, with a round to wide spreading irregular crown.  White oak bark is whitish or light gray, varying from scaly to irregularly platy or ridged and furrowed.  Leaves are simple and alternately arranged on the stems; they are 5-6 inches long and have a rounded tip and wedge-shaped base, with evenly notched edges; leaves are bright green above and whitish underneath.  Male flowers are green and 2-4 inches long, while female flowers are reddish and they appear as single spikes with the leaves.  White oak acorns are oval; about a quarter of the acorn body is covered with a cap which drops off at maturity.

Uses

Wildlife: Acorns are eaten by squirrels, blue jays, crows, red-headed woodpeckers, deer, turkey, quail, mice, chipmunks, ducks and raccoons.

Timber: White oak's wood is strong and durable for staves for barrels, lumber, flooring, and interior woodwork.

Recreation and Beautification: White oak is an excellent ornamental tree because of its broad round crown, dense foliage, and purplish-red to violet-purple fall color.

Adaptation and Distribution

Although found on many soil types, white oak does best on coarse, deep, moist, well-drained, with medium fertility, and slightly acid soils.  It is well adapted to heavy soils and north and east-facing slopes.  Natural stands are often found in areas with loam and clay soil. 

Establishment

Fall seeding is preferable to spring seeding.  White oak acorns have no dormancy and germinate immediately following seeding. Existing trees are very sensitive to disturbances in their root zones caused by grading, soil compaction, or changes in drainage patterns; if severe, these disturbances can lead to mortality.

References

USDA NRCS (2002). White oak plant fact sheet. Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet