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 from bark alone)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, highly adaptable to a range of temperate continental climates
About This Tree
A large, majestic deciduous tree with a massive rounded crown, strong spreading branches, and a sturdy trunk; exhibits a moderate to slow growth rate and can live for several centuries
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple leaves with 7 to 9 rounded lobes, 4 to 7 inches long, bright green in summer turning rich red to purplish-brown in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Light ash-gray to whitish bark, deeply furrowed with scaly blocks or vertical ridges, often peeling slightly in small rectangular plates on older trunks
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America, well-adapted to temperate forest habitats
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, flowers in spring with catkins, acorns mature and drop in autumn, enters dormancy in late autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred, moderate watering needs once established, exhibits good drought tolerance and prefers well-drained loamy or acidic soils
Mature Size
Mature height of 50 to 80 feet, canopy spread of 50 to 80 feet, slow to moderate growth rate, lifespan often exceeding 300 years
Special Characteristics
Valuable heavy timber, excellent drought tolerance, striking red-to-brown fall foliage, and highly durable wood historically used in shipbuilding and cooperage
Wildlife & Ecology
Acorns provide a crucial food source for numerous birds, deer, squirrels, and small mammals; hosts hundreds of caterpillar species supporting local insect and bird populations