White Oak
Quercus alba · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (no specific named cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9
About This Tree
Large, majestic deciduous shade tree with a broad, rounded crown, sturdy spreading branches, and a massive trunk at maturity. Known for long lifespan and durable hardwood.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves with 7 to 9 rounded lobes and deep sinuses, dark green above and paler beneath, turning rich red to purplish-brown in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to whitish, shallowly fissured into scaly blocks or vertical strips, becoming rugged and deeply furrowed on very old trunks
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces flowers in spring, drops acorns in autumn, enters winter dormancy late autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderate water needs once established with good drought tolerance
Mature Size
Height of 50-80 feet, spread of 50-80 feet, slow to moderate growth rate, can live for centuries
Special Characteristics
High-value timber, excellent fall color, strong wind resistance, highly durable wood historically used in shipbuilding
Wildlife & Ecology
Acorns provide vital nutrition for numerous mammals and birds; supports hundreds of caterpillar species and provides nesting habitat