White Oak
Quercus alba · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Nut Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (non-cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9
About This Tree
A majestic, long-lived tree with a wide-spreading, rounded crown at maturity. It features a massive trunk and sturdy horizontal branches. It is slow-growing but can live for several centuries, eventually becoming a dominant canopy tree.
Leaf Characteristics
Leaves are simple, alternate, and 5-9 inches long. They have 7-9 deep, rounded lobes with smooth margins and no bristles. Color is dark green above and pale/glaucous underneath, turning brown or deep red-purple in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to white in color; on younger trees, it may be flaky or divided into small, vertical blocks; on older trees, it develops shallow furrows and overlapping plates.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and Central North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (reddish-pink initially); flowers in spring with catkins; fruits (acorns) mature in one season; enters dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun for optimal growth but is moderately shade-tolerant when young. Requires well-drained, moist soil but is highly adaptable to various soil types once established.
Mature Size
Mature height of 50-100 feet with a similar or even wider spread; trunk diameter can reach 3-4 feet; growth rate is slow (1 foot per year).
Special Characteristics
Extremely high timber value for furniture and flooring due to its rot-resistant wood; excellent drought tolerance once established; acorns are 'sweet' (low in tannins) compared to red oaks.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical ecological species; acorns provide an essential food source for squirrels, deer, turkeys, and blue jays. It is a host plant for hundreds of Lepidoptera species (butterflies and moths).